Joint NHSBT and UKHSA Epidemiology Unit 2025 annual review

The latest annual review of the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Epidemiology Unit has been published on the NHSBT's Hospitals and Science website. 

This year’s review highlights advances in donor selection, testing, surveillance and how partnership working have strengthened the safety of blood, tissues and organs over the past 30 years. While infection risks remain very low, continued vigilance is essential as new and emerging infectious threats evolve.

In summary: 

• There were no confirmed transfusion-transmitted infections among 110 investigated cases.
• Infection rates remain very low, with 272 donors withdrawn in 2025 for markers of HBV, HCV, HIV, HTLV, or syphilis. Only one repeat donor showed evidence of a recent HBV, HCV or HIV infection.
• The risk of blood donation testing missing HBV, HIV or HCV due to a window period donation remains extremely low at around 1 per million donations tested.
• Blood donor selection changes introduced in 2021 have had no impact on blood safety.
• Most donors disclose potential infection risks before donating, although post-test discussions identified risks that made them ineligible under donor selection criteria.
• Evidence of current or past infection in other donor groups, including organ, tissue and cord blood donors, also remained rare in 2025.
• Close collaboration with UKHSA helps ensure rapid responses to emerging infectious disease threats and supports public health surveillance.

To access the annual report and to find out more about NHSBT/UKHSA Epidemiology Unit, visit the Epidemiology webpage 

Tali Yawitch - Scientist, Joint NHSBT/UKHSA Epidemiology Unit