Statement from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is aware that a blood donor has developed symptoms considered to be due to vCJD. This donor has only given one blood donation. Two patients were treated with different components of this donation. One patient subsequently died shortly afterwards of an unrelated underlying condition. The recipient of the other blood component has been informed.
vCJD can be spread by blood transfusion. This has happened on at least one occasion in the UK. The incubation period of vCJD contracted by eating contaminated meat products is thought to be about 10 years. While a person is infected, but symptom free, it is possible that they may pass on the infection through blood donation.
There is no blood test available for the disease and while there are a number of companies working on developing a test, it will be several years before one will be available. So, there is no way of screening blood donations for the presence of vCJD.
While a number of precautionary measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of transmitting vCJD by blood transfusion in Ireland, no universally effective measure exists to prevent its transmission.
The IBTS introduced the first of a series of precautionary measures in 1999, to address the unknown risk of transfusion transmitted vCJD. However in December 2003, the then Health Secretary in the UK announced that a person had developed vCJD who had received blood from a person who subsequently died from the disease in 1996.
A study commissioned by the IBTS in 2003 to assess the indigenous vCJD risk in Ireland, concluded that exposure from the consumption of Irish beef was about 13% with the main exposure coming from meat and meat products imported from the UK. Time spent in the UK represented about one third of the risk.
To date there have been 178 cases of vCJD worldwide, one of which was due to blood transfusion, the rest were probably caused by contaminated meat products. 156 of these cases were in the UK, 13 in France and 3 in Ireland. Over 20 blood donors in the UK and France were included in these cases. This is the first time a person who is a donor in Ireland has subsequently presented with symptoms of vCJD.
Since the possibility of transmission of vCJD by blood transfusion first emerged, the IBTS have taken a number of precautionary measures including:
From November 1999
The removal of most of the white cells from blood (white cells are considered to be potential sources of infection).
The issuing of guidance to all doctors in January 2001, setting out best practice for blood usage in surgical patients.
From April 2001
People who had spent 5 years or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996 were excluded from donating blood.
The exclusion of people who had previously received blood transfusions outside Ireland.
The importation of plasma and plasma products from BSE free areas to further decrease the risk of transmission.
From May 2004
People who had spent 3 years or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996 were excluded from donating as were people who had received blood transfusions in the Republic of Ireland on or after 1 January 1980.
From November 2004
People who have spent one year or more in the UK between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1996 are excluded from giving blood
People who have had certain operations in the UK on or after 1 January 1980. This includes neurosurgery, eye surgery, appendectomy, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, splenectomy and lymph node biopsy.
Additional measures to reduce the risk of transmission of vCJD by blood transfusion will be introduced as they become available.
ENDS
