Travel outside the UK can affect whether or not you can give blood. This is because some infections may be caught abroad, usually through mosquito or other insect bites.
If you have travelled or are planning to travel abroad, please be aware some destinations will prevent you from donating for a period of time following your visit, including popular destinations, such as parts of Spain or France and all of Italy.
If you enter the name of the country you plan to visit or have visited here, you can see if you are likely to be deferred or not. This is the current Geographical Disease Risk Index used by all UK Blood Services.
Things to consider:
Malaria
You will have to wait 120 days (4 months) after visiting a malarial area before you can donate. This applies even if you have taken antimalarial medication …read more.
To discuss whether you require a malaria test following travel to, or residence in a part of the world where malaria is endemic, or following a malarial illness please contact us on 0800 252266
West Nile Virus (WNV)
If you have visited a WNV risk area (between 1st May and 30th November) and donate blood within 28 days of returning an additional WNV test will be carried out on your donation. We’ll let you know if the test shows a positive result.
If you become unwell within 28 days of returning from a WNV risk area please let us know. We will defer you from blood donation for six months to reduce the risk of transmitting West Nile Virus to patients receiving blood components. Read more.
Tropical Viruses (Chikungunya, Dengue or Zika Virus)
Travel to a Tropical Virus Risk area means that you have to wait 28 days before you can donate. This is extended to 6 months if you become unwell during your visit or within 28 days of leaving the risk area.
Chagas Disease
Special rules apply to people born in, or whose mother was born in: South America; Central America; or Mexico, or those who have spent 28 days or more in rural areas there. Chagas Disease can also be passed on through blood transfusions and from mother to their unborn child. If this applies to you, please contact us on 0800 252266 for further assessment.
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever
Viral haemorrhagic fever is a general term for a severe illness, sometimes associated with bleeding, that may be caused by a number of viruses. The term is usually applied to disease caused by Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Rift Valley Fever and Ebola. Donors with a history of viral haemorrhagic fever must never donate. Donors who have visited a risk area are deferred for a period of 6 months
We also ask the following questions:
- Were you born abroad?
- Have you ever lived or worked abroad?
- Have you ever had any illnesses during or after travel abroad?
Coronavirus
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world.
Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
Public Health Wales is working closely with the Welsh Government and the other UK public health agencies to carefully monitor the situation with measures in place to protect the health of the public.
Outbreaks and new infections
New infections can emerge at any time, so our rules can change at short notice. If you have visited anywhere outside of the UK in the last 12 months, it is a good idea to talk to one of our advisors before attending a clinic.
