Emerging Infectious Disease Monitor Working Group

New infectious diseases continue to emerge and known pathogens re-emerge in Europe and globally that potentially may threaten blood safety. To cope with this constant threat to blood safety – and also tissue and cell safety – for patients, EBA has created the Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Monitor Working group organized as a network of experts. Each EBA member (from EU and EFTA countries) nominates at least one representative. This network currently operates on a global scale with the participation of representatives from blood establishments from the Alliance of Blood Operators (ABO) (United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and USA). It brings greater coherence in the assessing, developing and sharing the information on the risk and prevention of EIDs transmission through transfusion (and transplantation of tissues and cells).

Objectives and activities

The objectives of the Working Group are:

• To co-ordinate relevant information exchange between the EID Monitor members on emerging infectious agents and diseases.
• To discuss, devise and disseminate to members recommendations on blood safety measures which will assist members in the risk management of EIDs.
• To discuss, elaborate and promote at European institutions level the adoption of recommendations / guidance / legislation on blood safety measures to mitigate the risk posed by EIDs.

Through monthly teleconferences and exchanging information by e-mail, EID Monitor allows its members to maintain constant monitoring of emerging infections and discuss blood safety measures envisaged or in force at European and national level, but also in other jurisdictions. The teleconferences are organised at least 10 times a year. Continuous monitoring is performed for new developments and awareness of potential threats. New and existing blood safety measures relating to donor selection and deferral  criteria , donor questionnaires, and available testing methodologies are shared and discussed  amongst members ,including  their adequacy in maintaining blood safety in the face of these infectious disease threats. On request of an EID Monitor member surveys are launched to collate information about the situation and/or policies of blood safety measures in countries. The outcome of each survey is summarized in report format and the (anonymised) data submitted may  be used for further discussion and development of (new) strategies. This network, or delegates from this network, collaborate with the European institutions, such as ECDC, CD-P-TS (EDQM) and DG SANTE, or other scientific networks to share information and bring expertise for the preparation of new guidance.