Time to review deferral period due to visit to Malaria-endem

[evehow]

According to HSA guidelines, a person who has travelled to a Malaria-endemic country within 3 years of returning can only donate plasma. Malaria-endemic countries include , East Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillipines, India, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam.

In some countries, full blood donation is accepted ONE year after return from Malaria-endemic countries with anti-malarial prophylaxis. The 3 year deferment applies only to those who have actually caught malaria itself. Examples include HK and certain hospitals in the US.

I travelled to Cambodia (Siem Reap) in late 2003. I took anti-malarial prophylaxis (malarone) faithfully. After return, I have yet to develop symotoms of malaria. Yet I was told that my blood donar status is the same as someone who has contracted malaria. Only my plasma can be used.

While this will not stop me from continuing to donate blood, bear in mind that travel around the region is popular. Couple this with the constant shortage of blood and one wonders if this guideline should be reviewed. Perhaps the blood centre can clarify whether one can expect the malaria virus to reside dormant in a person's body for up to 3 years? (I am curious about it myself.) If not, then perhaps it's time for a review!

[sundar]

HI,

We will forward your quey to the Bloodbank as feedback.

Sundar
Forum Moderator

[evehow]

Some additional information:

American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html#malaria)

Malaria
Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. Wait 12 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after moving to the United States after living in a country where malaria is found. Learn more about malaria and blood donation.

American Association of Blood Banks (http://www.aabb.org/All_About_Blood/FAQs/aabb_faqs.htm)

Malaria

Between 1958 and 1998, the CDC recorded 103 cases of transfusion-transmitted malaria. These cases were most likely caused by donations from people who felt well and were not aware that they were carrying malaria. Although exceedingly rare in the US, malaria can cause serious consequences, including fatalities. There is no practical test available to screen donors so AABB requires blood centers to temporarily defer blood donations from people who have visited malarial areas in the past year or who emigrated from a malarial area within the past three years.

Blood Bank of Alaska (http://www.bloodbankofalaska.org/donating/)

Travel to malaria area - 1 year wait
Lived in malaria area - 3 year wait

[Shan Xue]

Perhaps the blood centre can clarify whether one can expect the malaria virus to reside dormant in a person's body for up to 3 years? (I am curious about it myself.) If not, then perhaps it's time for a review!

1 year should be good enough.


What is the incubation period for malaria?

The period between the mosquito bite and the onset of the malarial illness is usually 1-3 weeks (7 to 21 days). However, the incubation period may be longer when a person has taken an inadequate course of malaria prevention medications. Certain types of malaria parasites can also take much longer, as long as 8 to 10 months, to cause symptoms.

http://www.medicinenet.com/malaria/page3.htm