Frequency of Infections

Babesiosis is responsible for 3.6% of transfusion-related deaths in endemic areas (US). Malaria caused by transfusion-transmitted Plasmodium species occurs frequently in less developed, malaria-endemic countries (mostly Sub-Saharan Africa). Transmission through non-symptomatic donors returning from endemic areas has been reported. Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi-contaminated blood products occurs frequently in endemic areas (Latin America); transmission through chronically-infected donors in non-endemic areas is possible; and a case of transfusion-transmitted Trypanosoma cruzi in a child in Belgium has already been reported.