Additional Precautionary Measures to Ensure Continued Safety of National Blood Supply

In response to the increasing international concerns over swine flu, the Blood Services Group of the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is taking additional screening precautionary measures to ensure the continued safety of the national blood supply.

2  With immediate effect, donors are urged not to donate blood if they:

• have travelled in the last 10 days to:
  o Mexico; or
  o the following North American states: California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio
     and New York City; or
  o the following areas in Canada: Nova Scotia and British Columbia;
  o the following area in Spain: Almansa
  o or any other places with confirmed reports of swine flu (please click
     here for the latest list of countries with swine flu).
  
  They will be deferred for 3 weeks from date of return.
  
• are feeling unwell during the 2 weeks (eg flu) prior to and on the day of donation.
• have fever during the 3 weeks prior to and on the day of donation.
• have had close contact* with a person who has been diagnosed with swine flu or suspected to have swine flu in the last 3 weeks. 
   

* Close contact refers to having cared for, having lived with, or having had direct contact with a patient with swine flu.

3  These additional precautionary measures are over and above our longstanding blood safety protocol. Donors who are affected by these latest precautionary measures are welcome to donate blood after the deferral period.

4  As blood is needed daily, and in view of the additional screening procedures, we appeal to donors who are eligible to donate blood to continue to come forward to support the National Blood Programme.

5  For further clarifications, donors may call the Bloodbank@HSA at Tel: 6213 0626.

 
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
28 APRIL 2009

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