Easing of eligibility criteria

After several years without any new cases and statistical estimates showing almost zero risk of new transmission-related events, experts now estimate that it is safe to no longer apply this exclusion. Based on the current epidemiological status, the risk of transmission through blood transfusion has become negligeable.

No, the exclusion from donating remains if:

• You have been diagnosed with vCJD, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) or if a family member (father, mother, child, brother or sister) has been diagnosed with familial CJD.
• You have received a dura mater graft (envelope of the brain).
• You have received an injection of human growth hormone before 1986.
  • This product was available in the United States and Canada between 1958 and 1985.
  •  Growth hormone received after 1985 is acceptable.

Carriers of a human prion protein gene mutation are much more susceptible to developing prion diseases.

Prion disease mutations can be transmitted from parent to child. Individuals who have a close relative (father, mother, brother or sister) who is a carrier of the mutation are at higher risk that those who do not. More specifically, if a parent is a carrier of a human prion gene mutation, there is a 50% probability that he or she will transmit it to each child. If someone has a sibling who is a carrier of the mutation, there is a 50% likelihood that that person is also a carrier.

Even if no case of familial CJD have been shown to be transmitted through blood transfusion, this exclusion currently remains in place as a precautionary measure.

Experts today estimate that the risk of transmission through blood transfusion is negligeable.

Héma-Québec maintains strict standards and procedures to ensure that donors are in good health at the time of donating. Together, these protections form an effective guarantee against the collection of blood products from a donor after the appearance of clinical symptoms of vCJD. The safety of blood products is always our highest priority.

The pancreas of persons with type 1 diabetes does not produce insulin. These individuals must therefore inject insulin to avoid hyperglycemic episodes (high blood glucose) and prevent long-term complications (increased risk of cardiovascular, neurological and renal complications). Since prevention of hyperglycemia must be rigorously applied, type 1 diabetics are subject to more frequent episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) than persons with type 2 diabetes. These hypoglycemic episodes can resemble vasovagal events (i.e., sweating, nausea, feeling hungry).

It is therefore recommended that donors with type 1 diabetes eat before donating to avoid a hypoglycemic episode that could be confused with an adverse event caused by the donation.

A severe (or serious) episode is defined as the diabetic person requiring the assistance of another person to treat symptoms, such as a serious hypoglycemic episode (low blood glucose), or a hospital visit for hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).

Persons who have experienced a serious episode in the past three months are a higher risk of poorly controlled glucose and may be predisposed to more diabetes-related complications or adverse events caused by the donation.

Persons who have had diabetes for several years may experience a frequent complication: ulcers to the lower limbs. These lesions may seem innocuous to diabetics who will not necessarily consult a health professional for treatment. These ulcers can cause bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream) that, in the case of blood products, could be harmful to the health of recipients with a weak immune system.

Some diabetics may experience a neurological complication over time that affects their balance centre and the sensitivity of their lower limb extremities, thus increasing the loss of balance and risk of injury to the feet. This complication can increase the risk of adverse events caused by donating, as well as the risk of bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream). In the case of blood products, an injury to the foot could be harmful to recipients with a weak immune system.

Persons who frequently experience dizziness or light-headiness when standing will be asked to have their doctor fill out a form to better assess the risks to themselves and to recipients of their blood products.