AFGHANISTAN

There are a number of travel associated risks with Afghanistan.

There is a current risk for Malaria from

• May to November in all areas except the central highlands

If you visited the country for a holiday or business trip that was under 6 months in duration within the last 12 months you cannot donate for 365 days (1 year) from the date you leave the country as a visitor only e.g. a holiday / business trip of less than 6 months in duration.

There is a year round Dengue Fever risk for the whole country - it must be a minimum of 28 days since you left any part of the country before you can attend to  donate

If you lived in Afghanistan for a continues period of 6 months or longer at any time of your life the previous Malaria risk has to be taken into consideration

Previous Malaria Risk :

• All year whole country until Feb 1996
• Whole country below 2000m (May-Nov) until Sept 2015

This also applies if you ever had

• malaria associated with being in Afghanistan or any other malaria endemic area or
• had an unexplained fever associated with being in Afghanistan or any other malaria endemic area

Samples can be taken (but not a donation) to include a malaria antibody test:

• If a minimum of 6 months have elapsed since you left any malaria area
• You are fully recovered from malaria for at least 3 years (where applicable)
• You are fully recovered from the unexplained fever for at least 6 months and it is 6 months since you left the malarial area

You will be able to attend a clinic 42 days later if the malaria test is negative ( the IBTS will contact you if the  test result is positive) .Once all other criteria are met on future visits a test for malaria will be carried out in our labs every time you donate.

For more information click malaria