Read the most important updates from the WMDA office and notifications to support global collaboration. Information for Human Cell, Tissue, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Product (HCT/P) - Establishments Regarding FDA's Determination that Zika Virus is no Longer a Relevant Communicable Disease Agent or Disease On the morning of May 21, 2024, the FDA announced that Zika Virus is no longer a relevant communicable disease agent or disease for HCT/Ps. As such, screening for risk of Zika Virus will no longer be required for cord blood donors, cord blood banking, or for manufacturing of cellular therapies derived from cord blood or birthing tissues. Travel to areas of the world where Zika Virus previously occurred will no longer be an exclusion for cord blood banking or for cord blood licensure. The change went into effect yesterday, May 20, 2024. Find here more information, click here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WMDA strongly condemns the violence that is occurring in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. We offer our sympathies to all those who are suffering because of these conflicts. We extend our support to the donor registries and medical centers whose donors and patients are negatively affected by these crises. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REDOME Survey The New York Blood Center Is MovingThe New York Blood Center (NYBC) is relocating in fall 2024, resulting in a temporary pause in clinical cord blood unit distribution for approximately three weeks, starting September 20th. During this period, requests for confirmatory HLA typing, post-thaw QC, or shipments will not be processed, though unit reservations and access to previous testing reports remain available. Expect slightly longer turnaround times for QC results. To minimize disruption, consider early shipments for transplants scheduled during this downtime. NYBC remains committed to high-quality service and patient care throughout the transition. For inquiries, contact ncbp@nybc.org.Please help the Brazilian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, REDOME, by filling out their survey: here. Redome has initiated a research plan to evaluate REDOME as part of Brazilian public policy for unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplants, compared to other international registries. The research's main focus is on sustainability and some financial data are fundamental to performing economic analysis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WMDA strongly condemns the violence that is occurring in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. We offer our sympathies to all those who are suffering because of these conflicts. We extend our support to the donor registries and medical centres whose donors and patients are negatively affected by these crises. MidTerm Meeting, hybrid | REGISTER NOW for both online and face-to-face participation 6 and 7 November 2024, Minneapolis (USA) ➥ Find the program here ➥ Register via this link ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |