Malaria - Whole blood and components

Essential information

Includes

Donors who will donate whole blood, platelets and other cellular components.

Excludes

Donors who will only donate plasma for fractionation. For these donors, see Malaria - plasmapheresis donors.

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

1. The donor has ever had malaria.
2. The donor has had an undiagnosed fever (which could have been malaria) while abroad or within 4 months of leaving a malaria endemic area.
3. The donor has lived in any malarial endemic area for a continuous period of 6 months or more at any time of life.
4. Less than 12 months after last leaving a malaria endemic area.

Discretionary

1. Donors who have had malaria diagnosed in the past:
   
   If more than 3 years have passed since anti-malarial therapy has been completed, and symptoms caused by malaria have resolved, and a validated test for malarial antibody is to be performed, accept.
   
   If the donor (with a history of malaria) has revisited a malaria endemic area, and at least 4 months have passed since return, and a validated test for malarial antibody is to be performed, accept.
   
   
2. Donors who have EVER had an undiagnosed fever that could have been malaria while in a malarial area or within 4 months of leaving a malaria endemic area:
   
   If at least 4 months have passed since the donor returned from the malarial endemic area, or from the date of recovery from symptoms (undiagnosed fever) that may have been caused by malaria, whichever is later, and a validated test for malarial antibody is to be performed, accept.
   
   Please note, this may have to be increased to 6 months if the area is also identified as a risk area for T. cruzi or a tropical virus; the longest stipulated deferral period must be applied.
   
   
3. Donors who have EVER been resident in a malarial endemic area for 6 months or more:
   
   If at least 4 months has passed since the date of the last potential exposure to malaria, and a validated test for malaria antibody is to be performed, accept.
   
   
4. For all other donors:
   
   If at least 4 months and less than 12 months have passed since return from a malaria endemic area, and a validated test for malarial antibody is to be performed, accept.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Geographical Disease Risk Index for countries with a current endemic malaria risk

Additional information

Cases of transfusion-transmitted malaria have occurred many years after the donor was last at risk of becoming infected with malaria. This is mainly a problem in people who have had repeated episodes of infection with malaria. Although this is uncommon, before allowing someone who has had, or may have had, malaria to donate, it is safer to test for malaria antibodies rather than to wait a specific length of time. Transfusion-transmitted malaria is often fatal.

Regulatory information

This entry is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.

Reason for change:

Entry updated to exclude donors who will only donate plasma for fractionation.

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 71 (02 May 2024)