Donor Qualification

• vCJD is a degenerative brain disease that is fatal in 100% of cases.
• vCJD is caused in humans by exposure to "mad cow disease" or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), which appeared in the early 1980s. It is likely transmitted to humans through the ingestion of certain contaminated beef products.
• The epidemiological future of vCJD is still unknown. Only a few cases of transmission of vCJD have been reported following a blood transfusion. Blood products may, therefore, transmit vCJD in humans although the risk is extremely low.

No, the acceptable decrease without placing Québec's blood supply at risk is 3%. Accordingly, Héma-Québec can exclude these donors without any risk to Québec's blood supply.

Cases of vCJD have been noted in several countries, especially the United Kingdom and France. The current working hypothesis is that so-called "mad cow disease" can be transmitted to humans through the ingestion of contaminated meat originating mainly from the United Kingdom. As a precaution, the decision was made to exclude donors who had spent time, during the risk period, in countries that import or consume beef products originating from the United Kingdom (i.e. the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France and Western Europe outside of France and the United Kingdom).

A few other cases have been reported in other countries, notably in Canada and United States, but these cases occurred in people who had stayed in the United Kingdom for extended periods.

Health Canada includes the following countries under the term Western Europe: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Gibraltar, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland.

In the event you have concerns about your health, we suggest you contact our Donor Services: 1-800-847-2525, who will provide you with all the information necessary to reassure you.