Zika-hit countries advised to prevent blood donations

Countries in Zika hit regions are being advised to prevent blood donations in a bid to prevent transmission of the virus.
Zika is linked to birth defects in babies and a paralysis causing Guillain-Barre syndrome.

There are more than 30 affected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

One of the countries affected Puerto Rico is to begin importing blood supplies in a bid to prevent the further spread of Zika.

However it is feared that if countries prevent blood donations locally – it will have long term impacts on the levels of blood being collected.