why can't european people donate blodd

by Nicole Crist 3 min read

People who lived in the U.K., France, Saudi Arabia and Western Europe over certain periods of time can't donate blood. That's because of concerns about variant ​Creutzfeldt-Jakob (vCJD), sometimes called the human equivalent of mad cow disease.

Full Answer

Can I donate blood if I live in Europe?

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 you donate blood in the UK?

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.”

Were you ineligible to donate blood because of military service in Europe?

· 6y Because there aren't many people in Europe that haven't lived in Europe between 1980 and the present. If they European Red Cross refused to take blood from them, then they wouldn't have much of a blood supply. The US doesn't have the same history of CJD, and doesn't want to take unnecessary risks that might introduce it.

Why can’t veterans donate blood?

Jan 01, 2007 · 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...

Why can Europeans not donate blood?

Blood donations are not tested for malaria. Therefore, it is important that people who may have malaria or been exposed to malaria because of living in, or traveling to, a country where malaria is present not be allowed to donate blood until enough time has passed to be certain that they are not infected with malaria.Mar 7, 2022

Can't give blood if you lived in Europe?

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

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 UK citizens give blood USA?

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).

Why can't family members donate blood to each other?

Family blood donation is generally discouraged as they are often first time or infrequent donors and do not have a safety history established. Additionally, mothers may have antibodies that react against RBC, leukocyte, platelet, or HLA antigens expressed on neonatal cells.

Can I donate blood if I lived in Germany?

Under the new guidelines, persons who had been ineligible because they resided for six months or more on U.S. military bases in Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands between 1980 and 1990, or on bases in Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal and Italy between 1980 and 1996 may now be eligible.Jan 25, 2021

Can I donate blood if I 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

When did the blood donation ban end?

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.

What is the number to call for blood donation?

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

Where was Zemba stationed?

Zemba was stationed in Germany from 1986-1990 and was previously ineligible to donate blood due to FDA guidelines preventing those from giving who had spent time on certain U.S. military bases in Europe.

Where did the tainted beef virus originate?

The fatal disease is believed to be acquired by consuming contaminated beef. U.S. bases at the time sourced potentially tainted beef from the United Kingdom, where the disease was first recognized in 1985.

Is the deferral still in place?

The deferral, however, is still in place for past or recent residency or travel in some European countries. For instance, FDA guidelines do not permit donation by individuals who have spent 3 months or more cumulatively in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1996.

Can veterans give blood?

Many Veterans who served in Europe can now give blood - FDA lifts ban based on overseas service . Army Veteran and Pennsylvania Air National Guard member Liz Zemba donates blood for the first time in over 30 years.

When did the government ban blood donations?

Last year, the federal government banned blood donations from anyone who spent a total of six months in Britain between 1980 and 1996, when that country was the epicenter of the mad cow outbreak.

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 does it take for a mad cow to die?

Infected animals act crazy, or "mad," displaying changes in mood such as nervousness or agitation and having difficulty standing up, and usually die within two weeks to six months. Mad cow disease seems to spread to people through eating infected beef.

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 ...

Why did the Red Cross present a plan to the FDA?

Healy notes the Red Cross also has presented a plan to the FDA to address the shortage risks that the new rules could cause. "We have an obligation to compensate for that," Healy says. She notes her organization has presented to the FDA its four-point plan to bring in more blood.

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.

Is the Red Cross making restrictions on blood donation?

But for now, the Red Cross is making its new donation restrictions.

What to do if you can't donate blood?

If you can’t donate yourself, help spread the word by sharing posts on social media or talking with colleagues, friends or family about why it’s an important issue to you. Encourage others who can donate to do so and help create a strong, positive conversation about the importance of donation.

What does it mean if you can't donate blood in Australia?

Remember, if you’re not able to donate in Australia it doesn’t mean that your blood, breastmilk or tissues are considered ‘not good enough ’ for Australians: it’s about being as safe as possible. There are many other conditions. 13.

How long does it take for a cow to die from vcjd?

Over time, the animal loses the ability to balance and walk, can lose weight and have decreased milk supply. Weeks or months after the first symptoms showing, the cow will fall into a coma and die. In humans, the symptoms of vCJD are similar to BSE in cows.

How long does it take for a person to develop symptoms of vcjd?

Some studies indicate that it might be possible for symptoms to develop up to 50 years after infection. 5. . There is currently no test to indicate whether a person has vCJD while they are still alive – a definite diagnosis requires examination of brain tissue conducted after the person has died.

What is the BSE in cows?

In humans it’s called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. 3. (vCJD). In cows, the initial symptoms of BSE can include issues with walking, changes in behaviour including increased aggression and anxiety, and tremors. Over time, the animal loses the ability to balance and walk, can lose weight and have decreased milk supply.

What happened in the 80s and 90s?

in the United Kingdom during the 80s and 90s will remember dramatic news stories of farms being evacuated, thousands of cows killed and their bodies burned, and the public’s fear of the mysterious and deadly disease. Even though it’s been 16 years since the last major outbreak in the UK, the consequences of ‘mad cow’ are still being felt, ...

What are the early symptoms of dementia?

Early symptoms include changes in personality and behaviour, difficulty thinking, muscle weakness and loss of control over movement. A person might experience confusion, speech abnormalities, agitation and hallucinations; the symptoms can be similar to dementia. Eventually, they will become comatose and die.

How many people can donate blood?

Red blood cell, plasma, and platelets all the components of blood are vital for a lifeline. But, are you aware that only one in thirty people can donate blood.

How long do you have to wait to donate blood after getting a tattoo?

If you get a tattoo done from such places you have to wait for 12 months before donating blood, else you might spread infection (2). Always discuss your situation with a healthcare professional. Also, if gone for certain cosmetic treatments which require piecing with needles you got to wait at least for 4 months.

How long after syphilis can you donate blood?

In some, despite getting the treatment, they need to be re-treated. If wanting to donate blood, you should wait for 12 months after getting fully treated.

How long should a drug user wait before giving blood?

Someone in Relationship With A Drug User: If a person has had sex with someone taking drugs he needs to wait for a year before giving blood. Also, he should abstain himself from that partner for that time duration. Donating blood under these conditions can put the life of recipient and sometimes even the donor at risk.

Do you have to wait to donate blood after taking antibiotics?

Such as, if a person is on antibiotics, he has to wait until he feels healthy.

Can you donate blood if you have high iron levels?

Also, those with high iron levels should not donate blood as high blood iron levels increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and certain cancers. Suffering From Cancer: A person cannot donate blood if he is being treated for cancer, or the cancer is spreading or has come back, or is having cancer of blood such as leukemia ...

Can you donate blood with low iron?

Underweight individuals have low blood volumes and would not be able to tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood. Someone With Too High Or Too Low Iron Levels: People with low iron levels i.e. less than 12.5g/dl in women and 13g/dl in men cannot donate blood. (3) Regular donors, therefore, are advised to eat food rich in iron ...