French Blood Agency Intensifies Donor Screening Amid Rising Tropical Virus Risk
Paris, France – france’s blood donation agency, Établissement Français du Sang (EFS), is proactively testing all blood donors who have spent time in areas with recent cases of mosquito-borne viruses – dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile virus (WNV) – to safeguard the blood supply and prevent delays in availability. This heightened vigilance comes as imported cases of tropical diseases increase in Europe, including neighboring Luxembourg.The EFS is moving beyond simply identifying donors who have transited through affected regions. According to the agency, screening focuses on individuals who have spent at least one night in “concerned regions,” defined not by administrative boundaries, but by highly localized outbreak perimeters. Thes areas can range from entire villages to zones as small as a 300-meter radius around an initial confirmed case.
“this is in order to avoid adjournments and thus limit the loss of blood,” an EFS spokesperson explained.
The agency relies on epidemiological surveillance data provided by Public health France, the nation’s equivalent of a health department, to pinpoint these specific areas. Public Health France’s latest “Reinforced monitoring bulletin for arboviroses,” covering May 1st to August 20, 2025, details the presence of dengue, chikungunya, and WNV transmitted by the Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito). Currently,the majority of cases are concentrated in the south of France,with a smaller outbreak identified near Strasbourg in the Alsace region.
“The EFS follows hour by hour each declaration of the indigenous cases,” the agency stated.
The increased risk of imported tropical diseases,including dengue,malaria,and zika,is a growing concern across Europe. Luxembourg, in particular, has seen a rise in these cases, prompting similar preventative measures.The Aedes albopictus mosquito, capable of transmitting these viruses, has become increasingly established in several European countries, raising the potential for locally-transmitted outbreaks.
This proactive approach by the EFS underscores the importance of robust blood safety protocols in the face of a changing climate and increased global travel,both contributing factors to the spread of these viruses. The agency’s strategy aims to balance the need for a safe blood supply with the critical demand for donations, minimizing disruptions to patient care.
Note: I have preserved all dates, names, and quotes from the original text. I’ve added context regarding the Aedes albopictus mosquito and the broader European context of rising tropical disease cases to provide a more complete picture.I’ve also restructured the facts into a more standard news article format with a breaking-news lead and supporting details.
