Frequently Asked Questions: Blood Donation Deferral Policy Expanded Beyond Western Europe

Starting date:

March 29, 2011

Posting date:

March 29, 2011

Type of communication:

Advisory

Subcategory:

Drugs

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Identification number:

RA-110004923

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Also available in Arabic: [NJS_FILE:e3cea4f2-aeaf-4a66-afee-a9a805e7570b:d5ab8274-5ed4-4192-b150-cc0767d01f16]

Information Update: Blood Blood Donation Deferral Policy Expanded Beyond the United Kingdom and Western Europe

1. What is Variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD)?
2. Why are residents of Saudi Arabia now being included in Canada's blood donation deferral policy?
3. Can you explain the "6 months during the period of 1980-1996" deferral policy?
4. Do the three Saudi Arabia vCJD cases merit this decision?
5. Is this a permanent blood donation deferral?
6. Does Health Canada have other blood donation deferral policies for other countries?
7. Why is Health Canada not adding other countries to this list despite vCJD cases?
8. Will this deferral be used in cells, tissues and organ donations by Saudis?
9. Are other countries imposing a blood donation deferral policy for Saudi Arabia?
10. Have any of these three patients ever donated blood in Canada?
11. Will this impact the supply of blood in Canada for patients needing blood transfusions?

1. What is Variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD)?

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) is the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), more commonly known as "mad-cow disease". vCJD is linked to eating contaminated beef products from cattle infected with BSE.

2. Why are residents of Saudi Arabia now being included in Canada's blood donation deferral policy?

Following the Public Health Agency of Canada report of a new case of laboratory-diagnosed probable vCJD (Variant Creuzfeldt-Jacob Disease), residents of Saudi Arabia "6 months during the period of 1980-1996" are now being included because the only Canadian patient, along with two other patients from outside Canada, are believed to have contracted the disease while living in Saudi Arabia.

3. Can you explain the "6 months during the period of 1980-1996" deferral policy?

During the period between 1980 and 1996, Saudi Arabia imported a large amount of beef from the UK, which could have been exposed to BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy). While it isn't known with certainty if these cases are related to food consumption in Saudi Arabia, it is a possible source of infection.

4. Do the three Saudi Arabia vCJD cases merit this decision?

Although the risk to the Canadian blood supply is considered to be very low, Health Canada has a responsibility to help prevent this disease from entering the blood supply.

The number of Saudi Arabia vCJD cases is comparable to some countries in Europe, which are also included on Canada's blood donation deferral policy.

5. Is this a permanent blood donation deferral?

Health Canada is constantly monitoring new technologies that could help improve the safety of Canada's blood supply; however, there is currently no blood test for vCJD, which prevents us from screening blood donations.

As new science or technology evolves such as testing, there is room for modifying the deferral based on new evidence.

6. Does Health Canada have other blood donation deferral policies for other countries?

Yes, Canada's existing blood donor deferrals include the UK, France and Western Europe.

7. Why is Health Canada not adding other countries to this list despite vCJD cases?

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are continuing to monitor for vCJD cases in Canada and around the world. Should new cases be identified that require us to expand our blood donor deferral policy for other countries, Canadians can be confident that we will do so in order to protect Canada's blood supply.

8. Will this deferral be used in cells, tissues and organ donations by Saudis?

Given shortages of tissues and organs and the need to properly match donors and recipients, the life saving benefits in these scenarios far outweigh the risks. As a result, these restrictions will not apply to tissues and organs.

9. Are other countries imposing a blood donation deferral policy for Saudi Arabia?

Health Canada is currently not aware of any other deferral policies for residents of Saudi Arabia. However, Héma-Québec has been using a deferral for donor with residency and travel history to Saudi Arabia since 2008.

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are continuing to monitor for vCJD cases in Canada and around the world. Should new cases be identified that require us to expand our blood donor deferral policy for other countries, Canadians can be confident that we will do so in order to protect Canada's blood supply.

10. Have any of these three patients ever donated blood in Canada?

None of the three Saudi patients have ever donated blood in Canada and there have been no reported cases of transmission of vCJD by blood transfusion in Canada.

11. Will this impact the supply of blood in Canada for patients needing blood transfusions?

This precautionary measure will not significantly impact the supply of blood in Canada for patients needing blood transfusions.

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