Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: boxerblues
Nope, NOT safe. Your info was regarding immigration. Some of us are PDQ'ed. From the same link:

In-Depth Discussion of Variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease and Blood Donation

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. Scientists believe that vCJD is Mad Cow Disease that has somehow transferred to humans, possibly through the food chain.

There is no evidence that vCJD can be transmitted from donors to patients through transfusion. However, nobody knows for certain that this cannot happen, and animal studies indicate that it is theoretically possible. There is no test for vCJD in humans that could be used to screen blood donors and to protect the blood supply. This means that blood programs must take special precautions to keep vCJD out of the blood supply by avoiding collections from those who have been where this disease is found.

At this time, the American Red Cross donor eligibility rules related to vCJD are as follows:

You are not eligible to donate if, since 1980, you : Spent a total time of 3 months or more in any of these countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Channel Islands, or Spent a total time of 6 months or more in any combination of these countries: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Azores, Belarus, Belgium, Boznia/Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Faroe Island, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Republic of), Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madeira Islands, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands (Holland), Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Scotland, Slovak Republic (Slovakia), Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vatican City, Wales, Yugoslavia (includes Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia)

Received insulin derived from cattle (bovine) from any of the countries listed above

Received a blood transfusion in any of these countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Channel Islands

19 posted on 08/07/2003 7:15:00 AM PDT by Eagle Eye (There ought to be a law against excessive legislation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies ]


To: Eagle Eye
That pretty much covers just about anyone who has done no overseas travel at all
23 posted on 08/07/2003 7:22:05 AM PDT by boxerblues (God Bless the 101st, stay safe, stay alert and watch your backs)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies ]

To: Eagle Eye
That pretty much covers just about anyone who has done no overseas travel at all
24 posted on 08/07/2003 7:22:12 AM PDT by boxerblues (God Bless the 101st, stay safe, stay alert and watch your backs)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies ]

To: Eagle Eye; boxerblues; ChuckHam; NYFriend; mbynack
...which begs the question: Are Europeans barred from donating blood for local use?
29 posted on 08/07/2003 7:44:46 AM PDT by T Minus Four
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson