Blood donation after visiting Roatan FYI

[jgh1204]

Got a call this morning from my local blood bank asking me to come in and donate platelets. I asked about being deferred after visiting Honduras. The initial answer was yes, I would have to wait one year. After i explained I was only in Mahogany Bay she did some more checking. I was finally cleared to donate since I had only been in the country less than 24 hours.

 

I only post this because I found a lot of conflicting information in my Internet searches.

Edited November 15, 2016 by jgh1204

[sparks1093]

Good info to have, thanks!

[evandbob]

Got a call this morning from my local blood bank asking me to come in and donate platelets. I asked about being deferred after visiting Honduras. The initial answer was yes, I would have to wait one year. After i explained I was only in Mahogany Bay she did some more checking. I was finally cleared to donate since I had only been in the country less than 24 hours.

 

I only post this because I found a lot of conflicting information in my Internet searches.

 

The denial box is for mainland areas, but can be interpreted differently by different collection agencies or someone new or lacking a sense or knowledge of geography. I have donated blood after spending a week on Roatan.

[megansdad1]

I donate platelets often, so I have talked to the phlebotomists often. They say that travel restrictions can often change based on current disease issues. One week you may be fine and the next you may be deferred.

[jgh1204]

The person doing the screening said they were working off new rules that they got last night. No problems donating this afternoon.

[Kcruiser2014]

Yep. I was told same thing today. They screen for Zika now, so they don't defer for that anymore! Yay! I cruise often, so it was really putting a crimp in my platelet donations.

 

 

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[richkinkade]

A lot of people working at blood banks and bloodmobiles don't know this, but "Travel to a malaria-endemic area" is defined by the CDC as being there for more than 24 hours.

 

"Travel to a malaria-endemic area - Any travel to or through a malaria-endemic area or areas, as identified by CDC (see definition above). *The duration of travel to a malaria-endemic area is defined as more than 24 hours to less than 5 years. "

 

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Blood/ucm365191.htm

 

On a cruise ship, your time in Mahogany Bay will generally be less than 24 hours, meaning that you did NOT travel to Honduras, as defined by the CDC for purposes of blood donation deferrals.

[smarks]

Thanks everybody for this information. We have been declined many times. Now we will be armed with a little more info. Thanks again.