This document provides an update on the safety of substances of human origin (SoHO) in relation to COVID-19. It reassesses the risk and proposes revised mitigation measures for preventing transmission through SoHO.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control was asked by the European Commission to assess the risk involved in changing the testing requirements for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) with regard to the quality and safety of non-partner semen donations.
In order to assist Member States with the implementation of the new requirements, the EU Commission asked ECDC to construct a map indicating HTLV-1 high-prevalence areas in the world.
This report summarises the discussion and outcomes of an expert consultation on communicable diseases transmissible through substances of human origin (SoHO) which took place at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm, Sweden, on 20 and 21 September 2011.
Following a request from the European Commission in August 2010, ECDC assessed the epidemiological history of Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) across the world, possible risks of HTLV transmission through transplantation of human tissues and cells, and possible measures to prevent such transmission.
In May 2011, the European Commission asked ECDC to estimate the change in total exposure risk to hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during reproductive cell handling and storage for secondary parties, if the current scheme of testing at each cell donation would change to testing partner donors of reproductive cells once or twice a year.
An organ perfusion solution known as Viaspan® has been identified as being potentially contaminated with Bacillus cereus. Viaspan®, which is used to preserve organs prior to transplantation, is distributed to a number of countries around the world.According to ECDC's risk assessment, the likelihood of contamination and risk of infection in recipients or potential recipients of organ transplants preserved in Viaspan® solution produced after July 2011 appears to be low, based on the negative results of microbiological cultures in solution samples and the absence of reported patient cases to date. Nevertheless, vigilance is recommended to mitigate the risk.
Following a request from the European Commission in August 2010, ECDC assessed the epidemiological history of Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) across the world, possible risks of HTLV transmission through transplantation of human tissues and cells, and possible measures to prevent such transmission.
ECDC plays an important role in providing its stakeholders with scientific advice when requested. On 23 September 2010 ECDC received such a request from the European Commission’s DG SANCO (Directorate C – Public Health and Risk Assessment).