vCJD and blood donation An extension to the transfusion rule for blood donors UK

Main Category: CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease
Article Date: 26 Jul 2004 - 11:00 PDT


In March 2004, the UK Department of Health announced that people who had received a blood transfusion in the UK since 1980 would no longer be able to give blood. This was implemented by the National Blood Service (NBS) on 5th April 2004.

The Department of Health issued a statement today extending this policy to include:

-- Anyone who is unsure if they have had a transfusion in the UK since 1980

-- All platelet (apheresis) donors that have received or think they may have received blood in the UK since 1980.

The NBS (National Blood Service of the UK) will implement these further measures on the 2nd August 2004.

This step is a further precautionary measure against the possible risk of vCJD being transmitted by blood and blood products. This rule has been extended as the actual number of recorded donors affected by the original announcement in March 2004 is smaller than anticipated. It is therefore possible to extend this rule to increase the safety of the blood supply whilst maintaining sufficient blood stocks.

The NBS is appealing to all eligible blood donors to make an appointment to give blood: encouraging both new and existing donors to make a long term personal commitment to saving lives.

The NBS has already implemented a number of precautionary measures against the possible risk of vCJD being transmitted by blood:

-- Withdrawal and recall of any blood components, plasma derivatives or tissues obtained from any individual who later develops vCJD (December 1997).

-- Import of plasma from the US for fractionation to manufacture plasma derivatives (October 1999).

-- Leucodepletion (removal of white cells) of all blood components (Autumn 1999).

-- Importation of clinical Fresh Frozen Plasma from the US for patients born on or after 1st January 1996 (introduced Spring 2004).

-- Deferral of donors who have received a blood transfusion in the UK since 1980 (announced March 2004, implemented April 2004).

-- Promotion of appropriate use of blood and tissues and alternatives throughout the NHS.

Mike Fogden, Chairman of the National Blood Authority added: "By giving blood, blood donors make a real difference to patients across the country. I would like to thank all blood donors for their commitment to saving lives, especially those who can no longer donate."

To find out more information about becoming a blood donor, or to find your nearest blood donor session;

-- Visit http://www.blood.co.uk

-- View Ceefax BBC2 page 465

-- Call the 24 hour donor help line on (UK) 08457 711 711

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Notes for Editors

-- The National Blood Service (NBS) is responsible for collecting, processing, testing and issuing blood in England and north Wales.

-- The NBS needs to collect over 2 million donations of blood every year.

-- Giving blood saves lives, yet only 6% of the eligible population give blood.

-- The NBS currently has just over 1.65 million donors on its donor base.

For media information please contact the NBS press pager on (UK) 07693 237 325.

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