Coronavirus

HFA has been asked about the safety of clotting factor treatments made from human blood plasma in the context of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
Lifeblood (formerly the Australian Red Cross Blood Service) has confirmed that donor screening procedures in Australia to prevent individuals who show disease symptoms typical of a coronavirus infection, including COVID-19, are routinely in place, and will continue to be reviewed. There is no current evidence suggesting coronavirus is transmissible by blood transfusion and other similar respiratory viruses are not known to be transmitted by blood. Virus detection in the blood has only been detected in a relatively small proportion of unwell patients who would not be eligible to donate blood. Further, dry heat treatment, solvent detergent and other steps used in the fractionation process inactivate and remove viruses.
 
In relation to ongoing supply of treatment products in Australia, the National Blood Authority has contracts with suppliers in place to ensure adequate supplies of local and imported clotting factors, including national reserves and advises there is no reason to expect any threats to supply at this time.
 
HFA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
 
For up to date information about the Coronavirus situation see
https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov

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