Malaria is caused by a parasitic infection transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito and attacks our red blood cells. Malaria can also be transmitted by blood transfusion and contaminated needles and syringes.

To ensure our blood supply is free of malaria, we test the blood of our donors who may have been infected or exposed to malaria when they resided or travelled to a malaria endemic area.

Donors will be tested if:

·         They visited a malaria endemic area

·         Lived in a malaria endemic area

·         History of Malaria

Before we can do testing and make sure it is accurate, 6 months must have passed since you left the malaria endemic area. If your donation turns out to be negative for malaria, you can donate in your next donation either whole blood, plaletet or plasma apheresis.

Donors have an option to donate only the plasma component of their blood if it is less than six months since they left the malaria endemic area. This is because the malaria parasites are found in red blood cells.

Donors with a history of Malaria can only donate after 3 years of completing anti-malaria treatment and provided they are well.

You will not be eligible to donate blood indefinitely (vCJD risk precaution) if you have:

• Visited or lived in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man or the Channel Island) between 1980 and 1996 for a cumulative period of 3 months or more;
• Received a transfusion of blood or blood components in France or the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Island) from 1980 onwards; or
• Visited or lived in France from 1980 onwards for a cumulative period of 5 years or more.