why european cant 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 I donate blood if I live in Europe?

Jan 25, 2021 · Were you ineligible to donate blood because of your military service in 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. The ban was meant to prevent …

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.”

Why can’t veterans donate blood?

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.

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

Jan 01, 2007 · Time Spent in Europe Means No More Time in the Blood Donation Center. May 21, 2001 (Washington) -- In an attempt to protect the nation's blood supply from mad cow disease, the American Red Cross ...

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.

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

Mad Cow Scare Linked to Blood Shortage. Feb. 21, 2003 -- In 2001, in an attempt to protect the nation's blood supply from mad cow disease, the FDA banned blood donation from people who had previously lived in Europe.Feb 21, 2003

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).

Can I give blood in Australia if I lived in the UK?

Because of this risk of transmission, in Australia donated blood , breastmilk and tissues are not accepted from people who lived in the UK for six months or more between 1980 and 1996.Apr 4, 2018

Can I donate blood if I visited India?

Because of the risk of malaria, donors who have traveled to certain countries may be deferred from donating blood for three months. If you have traveled to India, you must wait three months from your return to donate.

Can I donate blood if I 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 25, 2021

Can I give blood if I have been abroad?

Travelling outside of the UK can affect if you are able to donate blood after you return. This is because certain diseases caught during travel are present in blood and may then be transmitted through donated blood or blood products. This can have severe consequences for the person receiving the blood.

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

Who can not donate blood in Australia?

Reasons that may prevent you from being a blood donor, either temporarily or permanently, include:age (the minimum age for donors is 16 years; people older than 80 cannot donate; and those over 70 cannot become new donors);being pregnant, recently pregnant or breast feeding;current or recent short-term illness;More items...•Sep 15, 2017

Do tattoos disqualify you from donating blood?

Many people mistakenly believe that having a tattoo means it is not possible to donate blood. The truth is that most people with tattoos can donate blood, as long as they do not have certain diseases. Sometimes, a person may need to wait up to 12 months after getting a tattoo before donating blood.Mar 18, 2020

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.

When did the FDA ban blood donation?

Feb. 21, 2003 -- In 2001, in an attempt to protect the nation's blood supply from mad cow disease, the FDA banned blood donation from people who had previously lived in Europe. But blood industry representatives are appealing to the agency to lift the ban, saying that it exacts a tremendous toll on our blood supply.

What are the restrictions on donations?

Currently, donations are banned from: 1 Anyone who has lived in the U.K. for three months or longer since 1980 2 Anyone who has lived anywhere in Europe for six months since 1980 3 Anyone who has received a blood transfusion in the U.K.

How does mad cow disease spread?

Mad cow disease seems to spread to people through eating infected beef. Some animal studies suggest that it may be possible to transmit the disease through blood transfusion, prompting concerns among blood bank and FDA officials about safeguarding the blood supply.

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.

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.)