Zika virus: Hma-Qubec imposes 21-day ban

People who have travelled to countries outside the continental U.S.and Europewill not be able to give blood within21 days of their return, Hma-Qubec has announced.

The new measure is meant to protect Quebec's blood supply not only from the Zikavirus, but also othersurging diseases likeDengue fever and Chikungunya, the non-profit said.

The viruses for these diseases can remain in theblood for several days after returning from a trip. Although these diseases are transmittedprimarily by mosquito, they can also be spread by blood.

Hma-Qubec says this will only affect two per cent of donors in the provinceand should not adversely affect the blood supply.

This new measure replaces the one enacted on Jan. 29, which asked donors who travelled to high-risk zones for the Zikavirus to wait 30 days before giving blood.