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Use of Convalescent Whole Blood or Plasma
Collected from Patients Recovered from Ebola Virus
Disease for Transfusion, as an Empirical Treatment
during Outbreaks
Interim Guidance for National Health Authorities and Blood
Transfusion Services
Version 1.0 September 2014
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© World Health Organization 2014
All rights reserved.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any
opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city
or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted and dashed lines on maps
represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.
All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this
publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health
Organization be liable for damages arising from its use.
WHO/HIS/SDS/2014.8
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Use of Convalescent Whole Blood or Plasma Collected from Patients Recovered from
Ebola Virus Disease for Transfusion, as an Empirical Treatment during Outbreaks
Contents
1 Introduction
2 Guidance on donor selection, screening, donation and handling of blood
and plasma units
2.1 Identification of suitable blood or plasma donors among patients recovered from
Ebola viral disease (EVD)
2.2 Donor information, consent and selection
2.3 Donor’s blood grouping and TTI screening
2.4 Blood collection and donor care
2.5 Storage of whole blood and plasma units, inventory management and transportation
3 Guidance on transfusion of convalescent whole blood or plasma
3.1 Selection of EVD patients