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ECDC SoHO-Net blood group meeting

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On 4-5 December 2024, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) hosted the second meeting of the Substances of Human Origin network's (SoHO-Net) Blood group in Stockholm.

The meeting convened National Focal Points from EU/EEA countries, with representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), European Blood Alliance (EBA), European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM), Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE, EC), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also participating as observers. Additionally, external experts from Héma-Québec and the University of São Paulo, Brazil, as well as representatives from the Western Balkans and Türkiye, joined as observers. The discussions focused on critical issues related to blood safety and the prevention of transfusion-transmitted infections.

This forum supported the Substances of Human Origin (SoHO) network's mission to enhance cross-border cooperation and ensure the microbial safety of SoHO, which include blood, tissues, cells, organs, and medically assisted reproduction.

Key highlights from the meeting:

  • Updates on ECDC's scientific activities and outputs: Focus on blood safety in the context of the new SoHO Regulation (Regulation 2024/1938). 
  • Input gathering from participants for the SoHO network prioritisation of pathogens for upcoming technical guidelines.
  • Examination of the risk of dengue virus transmission through blood transfusion, including the implications for blood safety measures and supply across EU/EEA countries.

Participants were also informed on received updates European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM), discussed the application of a risk model for vCJD in transfusion to support country decision-making on the geographic deferral of donors due to the risk of vCJD. In addition, the participants shared experience on vCJD and dengue as well as shared feedback on ECDC’s surveillance tools for vector-borne diseases and explored and provided input on adaptations of rapid risk assessment methodology tailored for SoHO

The discussions paved the way for strengthened collaboration among countries.

ECDC thanks all participants for their active engagement and looks forward to continued efforts to enhance blood safety across Europe.