West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus (WNV) Endemic Areas:
These are shown in the 'Geographical Disease Risk Index' (GDRI).

Must not donate if:
a) It is less than six months from a donor's return from a WNV endemic area and the donor has been diagnosed with WNV whilst there or following their return.

b) It is less than six months from a donor's return from a WNV endemic area and the donor has either had a history of symptoms suggestive of WNV whilst there or within 28 days of their return.

c) In other cases it is less than four weeks from a donor's return from a WNV endemic area.

1) All donors may be accepted six months after their return from an affected area. This may be reduced to four weeks if they have had neither symptoms nor evidence of infection. For donors who have been back in the UK for less than four weeks, who have not been diagnosed with WNV infection and who have not had symptoms suggestive of WNV infection, if a validated NAT for WNV is to be undertaken on the donated component(s), accept.

2) Donors who have been back in the UK for less than six months, who have had symptoms suggestive of WNV infection while abroad or within 28 days of return, (but no firm diagnosis of WVN infection) if a validated NAT for WNV is to be undertaken on the donated component(s), accept.

The 'Geographical Disease Risk Index'

West Nile Virus is a flavivirus, similar to Dengue, which causes a wide spectrum of infection. This may range from no or minimal symptoms to death. It is geographically widespread, including areas in Europe and other parts of the world not affected by Malaria, and it has reached epidemic proportions in North America in recent years. There it has caused illness and death post transfusion and post transplantation of tissues and organs. It is spread by mosquitoes and so is more prevalent at times of the year when mosquitoes are active.

As the problem can vary both in relation to geography and time of the year it is not possible to state areas from which donors need to be deferred and dates of disease activity. These are provided in the 'Geographical Disease Risk Index'.

A 'Position Statement on West Nile Virus (WNV)' is available in the 'Document Library' of 'www.transfusionguidelines.org'.

To increase the deferral of donors following infection with West Nile Virus or symptoms suggestive of West Nile Virus Infection to six months and to remove the requirement for a negative NAT test for these donors prior to donation.

If you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.