Recipients of blood since 1980 cannot donate blood vCJD risk

UK - Recipients of blood transfusions are to be excluded from donating blood in the future as a further precautionary measure against the possible risk of transmission of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD), Health Secretary John Reid announced today.


This follows the government announcement in December last year of the first report of a possible transmission of vCJD from person to person via blood. This remains a possibility and not a proven causal connection.


The new precautionary measure to change the eligibility for blood donation will be implemented from April 5th this year. It will exclude people who confirm they have received a transfusion after 1 January 1980 because it is generally accepted that there will have been no exposure to BSE in the UK before than date.


Health Secretary John Reid said:


'I must stress that the risk attached to this group of blood donors is of course uncertain but we are taking these measures as a precaution, as the risk may be slightly higher than for the population as a whole.


'Excluding these donors will inevitably lead to a reduction in the supply of blood available for transfusions. Whilst the National Blood Service estimates a loss of 52,000 donors, I am pleased to report that they have put in place measures to help conpensate for these losses and hospitals are being encouraged to make best possible use of blood.'


Mr Reid also announced that Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson is to draw up a strategy to ensure more appropriate and effective use of blood in the NHS. This strategy will build on the current 'Better Blood Transfusion - More Appropriate Use' initiative, securing further improvments in conserving blood stocks through better use of blood in hospitals.


The Health Secretary said:


'We are following a highly precautionary approach. Although people may have concerns about the implications of this announcement, I would emphasise again that this action is being taken because of an uncertain but slight risk. People should, indeed, continue to have a blood transfusion when it is really necessary. Any slight risk associated with receiving blood must be balanced against the significant risk of not receiving that blood when it is most needed.


'People who can should continue to give blood. Blood donation is a safe procedure and people should continue to donate blood regularly. We place great value on those who already donate and would welcome new donors.'


Notes to editor


In light of the incident reported on December 17 2003, the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, asked the expert advisory committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation (MSBT) to consider whether there was a need for any further precautionary measures to be taken. The MSBT recommended that on the basis of evidence available and taking a precautionary approach, the UK should implement the policy to exclude people who have received blood transfusions. CMO advised government to accept this recommendation from MSBT.



Today's announcement sets out the latest in a number of measures that have already been implemented to minimise the possible risk of vCJD being passed through blood:



Since 1997 all cases of vCJD that are reported to the National CJD Surveillance Unit and diagnosed as having 'probable' vCJD, result in a search of the National Blood Service blood donor records. If the patient has given blood, subsequently any stocks of that blood are immediately destroyed.


Since 1998, plasma derivatives, such as clotting factors, have been prepared from plasma imported from the USA.


Since October 1999, white blood cells (which may carry the greatest risk of transmitting vCJD) have been removed from all blood used for transfusion.


In August 2002 we announced that fresh frozen plasma for treating babies and young children born after 1 January 1996 would be obtained from the USA.


In December 2002, the Department of Health completed its purchase of the largest remaining independent US plasma collector, Life Resources Incorporated. This secures long-term supplies of non-UK blood plasma for the benefit of NHS patients.


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From the UK Department of Health