Can Sars-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, be transmitted by blood transfusion? In this podcast episode, we will discuss with an Infectious Disease Specialist key points behind the precedent for respiratory viruses, factors to consider in an assessment for a pathogen to cause transfusion-transmitted infection, the data available, and the recommendations to maintain blood safety.

About our Speaker: Written on the promotional piece: Dr. Louis Katz is currently the Chief Medical Officer of Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center.   Dr. Katz is a board-certified internist and infectious diseases specialist who trained at the University of Iowa.  He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at the Roy and Lucille Carver College of Medicine, former Chief Medical Officer at America’s Blood Centers in Washington, DC, an ABC past president, former board member, and a past chair of its Scientific, Medical and Technical committee.  His transfusion medicine career has been dominated by attention to transfusion-transmitted infections. He has served multiple terms as the chair of the AABB Transfusion Transmitted Diseases Committee and served on many AABB committees and working groups.  Dr. Katz is on the Editorial Board of the journal Transfusion, has served on the FDA Blood Products Advisory Committee as a member, industry representative, and chair, and is a current member of the HHS Advisory Committee on Blood and Tissue Safety and Availability. He has been the author of more than sixty peer reviewed publications and book chapters.