2016 NEWS ARCHIVES

MALARIA RISK MAPS COLLECTION

IS NOW THE DONOR SCREENING GEO GUIDE
November 14, 2016

The Malaria Risk Maps Collection has been expanded and reorganized to accommodate the addition of new geographic reference materials to support donor screening recommendations for new and emerging diseases.

To reflect this broader scope, the Malaria Risk Maps Collection has been renamed and is now the Donor Screening GEO Guide.

New pricing for the Donor Screening GEO Guide is:

Hard Copy Screening Editions: $190

Hard Copy Reference Editions: $240

Digital version pricing quotes are available and are dependent of program size. Click here to request a digital format quote.

MALARIA & CONTENT EXPANSION UPDATE PUBLISHED
November 14, 2016

Our newest update has been completed and is now available. Order forms have been distributed to all current non-subscription clients.

Final hard copy pricing for this update is:

Screening Editions: $150

Reference Editions: $200

Digital version pricing (dependent on program size) has been provided individually.

Update highlights include:

Malaria content:

21 revised malaria-risk maps
1 new map
3 new overlay & 7 revised overlays (Reference editions only)
Updated reference lists

Expansion content:

Incorporation of the Donor Screening GEO Matrix
Separate sections for Malaria, vCJD, Leishmaniasis, and HIV-1 Group O screening
New background content for each disease section and an introductory section with overview information on donor screening to provide context to geographic screening
Addition of new vCJD maps providing more detail of the UK, France, Europe, and U.S. Military Bases in Europe.

CDC UPDATES YELLOW BOOK MALARIA INFORMATION
October 6, 2016

The CDC has updated malaria information in the online 2016 Yellow Book to align with the changes previously published in the Malaria Information and Prophylaxis, by Country table, also known as the “Red Pages”.

The CDC has also published new malaria maps on their website.

CreaTech Solutions will release an update to our malaria risk maps and related geographic references. More information to follow.

YELLOW BOOK MALARIA INFO UPDATED FOR VENEZUELA
September 22, 2016

Malaria information for Venezuela has been updated in the CDC’s online version of the 2016 Yellow Book. The information for Venezuela now matches the updated malaria information published on August 25th by the CDC via the stand-alone table Malaria Information and Prophylaxis, by Country (Red Pages).

Malaria information has not yet been updated for the other countries to correspond with the August Red Pages changes, but it does appear that the CDC has begun the process of updating the online Yellow Book.
CreaTech Solutions is currently drafting revisions to our maps and reference materials based on the Red Pages changes, while monitoring the CDC website for changes to the online Yellow Book.

Updated September 28, 2016: The CDC’s online version of the 2016 Yellow Book has not been updated to reflect the revised Red Page information for any additional countries, so an immediate update will be issued for Venezuela.

CDC UPDATES MALARIA REFERENCE "RED PAGES"
August 30, 2016

The CDC has updated its Malaria Information and Prophylaxis, by Country table, also known as the “Red Pages”. The CDC has not yet updated the online 2016 Yellow Book and this is important to note because the FDA’s guidance on malaria specifically refers to the CDC’s Yellow Book as the source of malaria-endemic areas and countries (and not the Red Pages).

CreaTech Solutions will monitor the CDC’s online Yellow Book and will initiate an update to our malaria content when the Yellow Book malaria information is updated.

FDA REVISES BLOOD GUIDANCE ON ZIKA
August 26, 2016

The FDA has published revised guidance for the blood industry, entitled "Revised Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Zika Virus Transmission by Blood and Blood Components". The FDA has issued this guidance for immediate implementation. The FDA is now recommending testing of all donations for Zika (under IND) and pathogen reduction of platelet and plasma products, in lieu of the travel-based donor deferrals for blood establishments located in states without local transmission of the virus.

The guidance recommends three implementation timelines for blood programs, based on the presence of locally transmitted Zika cases in the state, proximity to states with locally acquired cases, number of travel-related cases in the state. Under the recommended timeline, all U.S. states and territories should implement the new recommendations within 12 weeks.

ZIKA INTERACTIVE WEB MAPS AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS
August 5, 2016

CreaTech Solutions has published two interactive Zika web maps that can be accessed by members of update subscription clients’ organizations through this website. One map covers the World and the other map is limited to the United States. Both maps cover active Zika transmission areas in the U.S., but the U.S. map provides enhanced detail down to the street level. These maps are intended to augment our other maps and reference materials, not to replace our hard copy or electronic version maps.

To access the maps, users must first sign up and receive approval to access the online maps. Users must then log in to access the Interactive Maps page and use the maps. Please note that access will be limited to members of current update subscription holders’ organizations.

Click here for instructions on how to sign up and get started.

ZIKA SCREENING MAPS PUBLISHED FOR SOUTH FLORIDA
July 28, 2016

To address our clients' immediate need for geographic reference materials that reflect the FDA's recent recommendations to defer donors for travel to Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in Florida, CreaTech Solutions has published two Zika risk maps covering the South Florida region as well as a more detailed map of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

These new maps have been provided in PDF format to all clients that have purchased an update subscription for 2016. Non-subscription clients that would like to receive emerging Zika references are urged to obtain an update subscription.

Due to the rapid changes associated with the Zika epidemic, new and revised maps and other reference materials for Zika will continue to be distributed electronically.

FDA ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ZIKA VIRUS IN FLORIDA
July 28, 2016

The FDA is requesting blood establishments located in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties to discontinue blood collections immediately until either Zika testing or pathogen inactivation is implemented for all blood collected in the two counties. For blood establishments located in "adjacent and nearby counties", the FDA is recommending implementation of the same precautions as soon as possible.

For blood establishments located outside the region, the FDA is recommending deferral of donors that traveled to Miami-Dade or Broward Counties during the 4 weeks prior to donation.

View the FDA's full statement: "Advice to Blood Collection Establishments on Non-Travel Related Cases of Zika Virus in Florida"

NEW DONOR SCREENING GEO MATRIX INCLUDES ZIKA INFO
February 19, 2016

To address our clients' immediate need for geographic reference materials that reflect the FDA's recent donor screening recommendations for the Zika Virus, CreaTech Solutions has published a stand-alone matrix of countries and distinct places that summarizes geographic risk for Malaria, vCJD, Zika, HIV-1 Group O, and Leishmanaisis according to location.

The Donor Screening GEO Matrix has been provided in PDF format to all clients that have purchased an update subscription for 2015. Clients that subscribe to updates for the first time in 2016 (beginning April 1, 2016) will also receive the matrix electronically. The matrix will be updated as needed to keep up with changes in geographic-based donor screening recommendations and disease spread.

Although initially issued and revised as a stand-alone reference, The matrix will eventually be integrated with CreaTech Solutions' other donor screening reference materials as part of the content scope expansion project during 2016.

FDA ISSUES BLOOD GUIDANCE ON ZIKA
February 16, 2016

The FDA has published guidance for the blood industry, entitled "Recommendations for Donor Screening, Deferral, and Product Management to Reduce the Risk of Transfusion-Transmission of Zika Virus". The FDA has issued this guidance for immediate implementation and includes recommendations to defer potential blood donors for risk of Zika Virus (ZIKV) transmission that have resided in or traveled to a country with active transmission of ZIKV (as indicated by the CDC) in the 4 weeks preceding donation.

The guidance defines "... an area with 'active transmission of ZIKV' is an area included on the CDC website listing of countries and U.S. states and territories with local vector-borne (i.e., mosquito-acquired) transmission of ZIKV: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/index.html."

2016 UPDATE SUBSCRIPTION PRICING RELEASED

February 15, 2016

Update pricing for the 2016 subscription year has been determined.

Hard Copy Update Subscriptions (per book):

Screening Editions (all versions): $150.00

Reference Editions (all versions): $160.00

This pricing applies to the 12 month period from April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017.

Update projections for 2016 included consideration of the following factors:

Analysis of 2015 WHO report identified a possible increase in malaria-endemic areas in 4 countries (with an estimated 4 overlays impacted).
Anticipated publication of FDA blood guidance on the Zika and Chikungunya viruses in 2016.
Plans to reorganize the maps collection to allow for rapid content expansion in response to anticipated geographic donor screening recommendations for transfusion transmitted infections.
Plans to expand the current vCJD reference materials in conjunction with the content reorganization/expansion noted above.

Update subscription pricing for electronic version clients will be provided individually based on each client’s reported 2015 annual collections. If you are an electronic version user, please ensure that your annual reporting form for 2015 has been completed and submitted.

Clients that wish to obtain update subscriptions for the first time, please contact us for information.

AABB

AABB RECOMMENDS DONOR SELF-DEFERRAL FOR ZIKA
February 1, 2016

Today the AABB issued Association Bulletin #16-03 that recommends the self-deferral of blood donors for 28 days following travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted Zika virus, as well as the Chikungunya and Dengue viruses. The AABB bulletin includes donor information content for self-deferral prior to screening as well as post-donation reporting of symptoms.

The AABB’s actions follow news last week that the Canadian Blood Services will begin deferring travelers from Zika-risk areas and that the FDA is reviewing blood donor deferral policies in light of the recent spread of Zika.

In response to the momentum created by Zika, CreaTech Solutions will be stepping up the pace of the work on the content expansion project for the map reference collection.

FDA EXAMINING DEFERRAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ZIKA
January 29, 2016

According to the AABB SmartBrief:

"The FDA is reviewing its policies related to blood donors who have traveled to areas where the Zika virus is spreading. 'The FDA is looking at the issue of blood supply, blood donors and travelers. We know it's in the bloodstream very briefly. Most people have cleared the bloodstream of the virus after about a week,' said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The FDA is working 'to rapidly implement appropriate donor deferral measures for travelers who have visited affected regions in order to protect the blood supply in the United States,' spokeswoman Tara Goodin said"

In related news, the Canadian Blood Services will reportedly begin deferring travelers returning from areas where the Zika virus is spreading soon.

CONTENT SCOPE EXPANSION PROJECT
January - February 2016

In response to the December 2015 publication of the FDA's draft guidance on the Ebola virus and in anticipation of upcoming geographic donor screening recommendations from the FDA for the Chikungunya and Zika viruses, CreaTech Solutions is considering an expansion of the scope of the reference map collection at this time.

To inform and collaborate with current users, a series of user group conference calls were held the week of January 25th. Discussion points included preliminary goals, design ideas and considerations, potential client impacts, and next steps in the process. Thirty client blood banks and blood centers were represented on the calls throughout the week.

Following the conference calls, a user survey was distributed to all current map user contacts to measure client interest in the content expansion and to assess current geographic donor screening practices for Leishmaniasis and HIV-1 Group O among current users of the maps collection.

Click this link to view the composite results of the survey.

More information will follow as this project evolves during 2016.

FDA UPDATES GUIDANCE ON CJD & vCJD
January 13, 2016

The FDA has finalized its 2012 draft guidance regarding vCJD and plasma-derived products by amending its final guidance published in May 2010.

No changes in the FDA's recommendations for donor screening were introduced in the updated guidance document, entitled "Revised Preventative Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Variant Cruetzfeldt-Jakob Disease by Blood and Blood Products"

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