why can't a military person who served in europe donate blood

Due to the prevalence of mad cow disease in Europe, millions of veterans and servicemembers are no longer eligible to give blood if they spent a total of six months on or associated with a military base in any of the following areas during the specified time frames: from 1980 - 1990 in Belgium, the Netherlands (Holland) or Germany; from 1980 - 1996 in Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece; you spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of five years in Europe including the UK from 1980 - 1996.

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Can you donate blood to the military in Europe?

Jan 14, 2021 · In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted a longstanding ban that prevented some 4.4 million Veterans, service members and civilians stationed in certain parts of Europe between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood. The ban was meant to prevent transmission of a deadly brain disease commonly known as “mad cow disease.”.

Why can’t veterans donate blood?

Jan 25, 2021 · In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted a longstanding ban that prevented some 4.4 million Veterans, service members and civilians stationed in certain parts of Europe between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood. The ban was meant to prevent transmission of a deadly brain disease commonly known as “mad cow disease.”.

Why can’t US soldiers give blood in Germany?

Jul 09, 2020 · Troops, veterans and military retirees who’ve lived in Europe for an extended period once again may give blood to the Defense Department’s program after …

Are you eligible to donate blood?

Some Military Members Can't Donate Blood. Jan, 2008 News & Links. America's Veterans Homepage . In some parts of the world, cattle can get an infectious, fatal brain disease called Mad Cow Disease. In these same locations, humans have started to get a new disease called variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD) which is also a fatal brain disease.

Why can't I donate blood if I lived in Europe?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has imposed a ban on blood donations from anyone who has spent more than six months in Britain from 1980 to 1997 because of the possible risk of transmitting the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).

Can I give blood if I lived in Europe in the 80's?

You are not eligible to donate if: From January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1996, you spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 3 months or more, in any country in the United Kingdom (UK), Channel Islands.Mar 7, 2022

What countries prevent you from donating blood?

You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion since 1980 in France, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands. This requirement is related to concerns about variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease.

Can you donate blood if you are in the military?

– While the world was rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the focus of health care centered on trying to contain the rapid spread of the virus, the Veterans Administration announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lifted restrictions on certain military families and civilians previously banned from donating blood ...Jan 21, 2022

Can you give blood while on your period?

You can safely donate blood during your period if it is required and your period will not be affected by the donation. It may be better to donate the week after periods, but it is still manageable if you are not bleeding heavily, your haemoglobin is more than 11 g/dl and you are not in any discomfort or pain.Jun 14, 2020

Can you donate blood if you have a tattoo?

Most people can donate blood immediately after getting inked, as long as the tattoo was applied at a state-regulated entity that uses sterile needles and ink that is not reused.Jul 19, 2021

Can you donate blood if you have traveled to Europe?

You may be eligible now. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted a longstanding ban that prevented some 4.4 million Veterans, service members and civilians stationed in certain parts of Europe between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood.Jan 14, 2021

Can you give blood if you lived overseas?

Myth 3: You can't donate blood if you have traveled or lived overseas. Most international travel will not interfere with blood donation. However, there are a few limitations related to outbreaks of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and mad cow disease.Jun 8, 2021

Why can't you donate blood if you've been to Africa?

You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion in certain countries in Africa since 1977. This requirement is related to concerns about rare strains of HIV that are not consistently detected by all current test methods.Mar 21, 2005

Can I donate blood in Germany?

In Germany, you must allow a minimum of 56 days between blood donations. Women are allowed to donate blood four times within a twelve month period, whereas men can donate six times. ... Timing your donations properly is important so your body can reproduce the donated blood cells and protect against iron deficiency.

Who Cannot donate blood plasma?

People who have a fever, productive cough, or are feeling generally unwell shouldn't donate. This also applies to people who are currently receiving antibiotics for active infections. Medical conditions. There are 23 conditions that the American Red Cross considers when screening blood donors.Sep 22, 2020

Can you give blood if you were born in Germany?

 There will no longer be any deferrals based on time spent in other European countries, including Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain and more. This is what will allow many local nationals to give blood, if they are able to enter U.S. military bases in Europe where blood drives are conducted.Jul 9, 2020

What is the number to call for blood donation?

Vitalant also welcomes donors to call their medical help desk to speak to a registered nurse about eligibility at 412-209-7035.

Where is Robert Johnson?

Veteran Robert Johnson: “I need to start back doing that”. Robert Johnson, an Army Veteran now living in Missouri, retired from active duty after serving in multiple locations, including overseas during the late 1990s to early 2000s.

What is the blood pressure of the heart?

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood being pushed by your heart against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Your blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day based on your activities.

What is the number of systolic blood pressure?

Your blood pressure reading contains two numbers, for example 130/80. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

Can cattle get mad cow disease?

In some parts of the world, cattle can get an infectious, fatal brain disease called Mad Cow Disease. In these same locations, humans have started to get a new disease called variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (vCJD) which is also a fatal brain disease. Scientists believe that vCJD is Mad Cow Disease that has somehow transferred to humans, possibly through the food chain.

Is CJD a disease?

CJD is a rare, progressive and fatal brain disorder that occurs in all parts of the world and has been known about for decades. CJD is different from variant CJD, the new disease in humans thought to be associated with Mad Cow disease in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. CJD appears to be an infectious disease.

Can hepatitis be caused by alcohol?

Hepatitis can be caused by many things including gallstones, medications, drinking alcohol, obesity and liver infections. Hepatitis caused by Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus can be easily transmitted from donors to patients through transfusion.

Can a 17 year old donate blood?

Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors ( not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood. (Each state determines its own age of majority, which can be different for different activities.)

When did the Red Cross stop giving blood?

May 21, 2001 (Washington) -- In an attempt to protect the nation's blood supply from mad cow disease, the American Red Cross said Monday that starting in September, people who have spent three months in Britain or six months in the rest of Europe can no longer donate blood to the organization.

How long has a person lived in Europe?

Anyone who has lived anywhere in Europe for a total of six months since 1980. Anyone who has received a blood transfusion in the U.K. The new rules are much stricter than those recommended by the FDA, although according to a report from Monday's Wall Street Journal, the federal regulators are still discussing policy on mad cow disease and ...

How does mad cow spread?

Mad cow disease seems to spread to people through eating infected beef. There is no proof yet that it or its human counterpart, new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, spreads through blood. But getting prepared in case there is a risk to the blood supply has become a real controversy.

Is the Red Cross safe?

But its blood banks may not say or imply that their blood is safer than those collected by banks following the government standards.