Blood ban on Brits holidaying in countries affected by ‘head shrinking’ Zika

NHS says ‘safety of blood supply is paramount’.

Victim ... baby in Brazil

BRITS returning from Zika-hit countries have been banned from giving blood for 28 days.

It came amid warnings the virus linked to birth defects could spread to all European nations this year.
The outbreak, now an international health emergency, has affected much of South America and the Caribbean.

 The NHS yesterday said “safety of the blood supply is paramount” as it slapped a 28-day ban on would-be donors returning to England and Wales.

Officials also revealed yesterday the Aedes mosquito which carries the virus caused a dengue fever epidemic in 2012 at Portuguese hols isle Madeira.


It sparked fears the virus, which causes babies to be born with underdeveloped brains, could spread into southern Europe as temperatures heat up this year.

The insects have already been found as far north as Holland  thought to have been shipped in with tyres. World Health Organisation chief Zsuzsanna Jakab said: “Every European country in which Aedes mosquitoes are present can be at risk. With the onset of spring and summer, the risk that Zika virus will spread increases.”

Men are advised to use condoms when returning from Zika areas after its first sexual transmission was reported in Dallas.