IBTS to introduce new measures to reduce risk of vCJD

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has today (Monday) announced a number of measures to reduce further the risk of vCJD. These measures are being introduced in response to a probable transmission of vCJD by blood transfusion as reported by the Health Secretary in the UK on 17th December 2003.

The IBTS has evaluated the situation in light of these developments in the UK and has decided that after 4th May 2004, the IBTS will no longer accept blood donations:

  • From donors who have spent more than 3 years in the UK between 1980 and 1996
  • From donors who have received a blood transfusion on or after 1st January 1980, in the Republic of Ireland
  • For transfusions for neonatal patients from donors who have spent more than 12 months in the UK.

Since the possibility of transmission of vCJD by blood transfusion first emerged, the IBTS have taken a number of precautionary steps including

  • The removal of most of the white cells from blood (white cells and plasma are considered by experts to be potential sources of infection) from 1999
  • From April 2001, people who have spent 5 years or more in the UK between 1980 - 1996 were excluded from donating blood
  • The exclusion of people who have previously received blood transfusions outside Ireland.
  • The importation of plasma products from BSE free areas to further decrease the risk of transmission
  • The issuing of guidance to all doctors in January 2001, setting out best practice for blood usage in surgical patients

Dr William Murphy, National Medical Director said: " we are taking these measures to further reduce the threat of transmission of vCJD through blood transfusion. This will result in the loss of nearly 5% of our donors. We still need to collect 3000 donations per week to ensure that we can supply hospitals with the blood necessary for patient care."

He urged anyone who had not donated before or who had not donated recently to become a blood donor, if they fulfill the acceptance criteria. "Without a commitment to blood donation from the community, modern healthcare just can’t happen. It is not up to someone else to do it, it is up to you, and to everyone who can."

Chief Executive Andrew Kelly said: "we realise by introducing these measures we will lose some of our most loyal donors. We would like to thank them for the difference they have made to so many lives. We would ask that they encourage others to take their place and become a committed regular donor."

ENDS

Note for Editors

  • The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is responsible for collecting, processing, testing and issuing blood in Ireland.
  • The IBTS needs to collect about 160,000 donations of blood every year, that is about 3,000 donations a week
  • Giving blood saves lives, yet only 5% of the eligible population give blood.
  • The IBTS currently has just over 216,000 donors on its donor database.
  • One in four people will need a transfusion at sometime in their lives
  • Between 1-2% of the population need a blood transfusion every year