Viral Haemorrhagic Fever

Acceptability at Recruitment

QUALIFIED

Acceptability at CT / Work-Up

QUALIFIED

Individual at Risk

Recipient

Explanation of Condition

These infections have very high death rates and there is evidence that the virus may persist for some time after recovery. The 2014-2016 outbreak of Ebola in West Africa has increased understanding about the persistence of the virus in affected individuals and the number of asymptomatic individuals who may be able to transmit the virus to others. There is no routine screening test for EBOV currently available. There is an option to test donors serologically for the presence of anti-EBOV (antibodies) two months after the exposure event if a test becomes available. A reactive test would result in permanent deferral, a negative test would allow donation to proceed. Designated medical officers may seek expert advice where necessary, under exceptional circumstances. There is evidence of persistent virus in individuals who recover from several forms of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever. For this reason, it is necessary to defer the sexual partners of these individuals.

Guidance

For up-to-date guidance also see [[1]]

Unacceptable:

a) Was present in an area during an active outbreak

b) Under investigation for viral haemorrhagic fever

c) Has been in contact with an individual who was present in an area during an active outbreak

d) Was in contact with an individual infected with, or was under investigation for viral haemorrhagic fever

e) less than six months after return to UK from an endemic area when there was no active outbreak.

Acceptable:

a. If more than 6 months after return to UK from an endemic area when there was no active outbreak at the time of visit

b. If the individual, or the contact person, under investigation had viral haemorrhagic fever infection excluded as diagnosis.

Examples of viral haemorrhagic fever

Ebola

Marburg

Lassa

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

version

Version 1.0.

1 June 2016