JPAC Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee
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Viral Haemorrhagic Fever

Includes

Crimean-Congo Fever
Ebola Virus Disease
Lassa Fever
Marburg Fever

 

1. Affected Individual
Obligatory

Must not donate if:
a) Has ever been infected

 

2. Contact or traveller to endemic country
Obligatory

Must not donate if:
a) Was present in an area during an active outbreak
 

b) Under investigation for viral haemorrhagic fever


c) Has been in contact with an individual who was present in an area during an active outbreak


d) Was in contact with an individual infected with, or was under investigation for viral haemorrhagic fever


e) less than six months after return to UK from an endemic area when there was no active outbreak


Under exceptional circumstances, the donor may be accepted subject to individual risk assessment. Refer to designated medical officer. See additional information section. 

Discretionary

Accept if:
a) If more than 6 months after return to UK from an endemic area when there was no active outbreak at the time of visit

b) If the individual, or the contact person, under investigation had viral haemorrhagic fever infection excluded as diagnosis.

3. Sexual Partner of Affected Individual
Obligatory

Must not donate: 
If the donor has had sex with an individual who had been diagnosed with a Viral Haemorrhagic Fever at any time before their last sexual contact.
 

See if Relevant

The Geographical Disease Risk Index for countries with a current endemic Viral Haemorrhagic Fever risk.

Additional Information

These infections have very high death rates and there is evidence that the virus may persist for some time after recovery. The 2014-16 outbreak of Ebola in West Africa had increased understanding about the persistence of the virus in affected individuals and the number of asymptomatic individuals who may be able to transmit the virus to others.


There is no routine screening test for EBOV currently available. There is an option to test donors serologically for the presence of anti-EBOV (antibodies) two months after the exposure event if a test becomes available.  A reactive test would result in permanent deferral, a negative test would allow donation to proceed. Designated medical officers may seek expert advice where necessary, under exceptional circumstances. 


There is evidence of persistent virus in individuals who recover from several forms of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever. For this reason, it is necessary to defer the sexual partners of these individuals.

Reason for Change

A permanent deferral has been introduced for donors who have had sex with an individual who has been diagnosed with a Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, and definition of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever provided.

Update Information

This entry was last updated in
TDSG-BM Edition 203, Release 37