RISK FACTORS - RESIDENTS & TRAVEL

 PERMANENTLY EXCLUDE:

• Donors born in any part of South America or Central America (including Southern Mexico)
• Donors who have lived and / or worked in rural subsistence farming communities in South America or Central America (including Southern Mexico) for a continuous period of 4 weeks or more. (NB: rainforests are not considered to be rural subsistence farming communities)
• Donors whose mother was born in any part of South America or Central America (including Southern Mexico)
• Donors who had a blood transfusion in any part of South or Central America (including Southern Mexico) 
• Donors who have or have had South American Trypanosomiasis.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Chagas’ disease is caused by infection with a protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi which is transmitted to animals and people by insects called Triatominae. These insects live in cracks in the walls of mud huts and the bark of trees. They come out at night to bite unsuspecting humans, usually on the face and hence are referred to as ‘Kissing Bugs’.

These insects are found only in the Americas (mainly in rural areas of Latin America where poverty is widespread). The greater time that a person spends living in housing conditions with thatched roofs or mud lined walls which harbour the insect vectors, the greater the risk that they will become infected.

Travellers who sleep indoors, in well-constructed facilities or who camp or trek in the jungle or rainforest areas are at low-risk of becoming infected. They are eligible to donate blood.

Chagas’ disease (T-Cruzi infection) is also referred to as South American Trypanosomiasis.

Chagas’ disease has an acute phase and a chronic phase. The acute phase can be symptom-free or can have symptoms similar to other infections e.g. fever, fatigue, aches, headache, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. A classical symptom is Romana’s sign which is swelling of the eyelids or on the side of the face (where the bite occurred).

Chronic phase symptoms can include cardiomyopathy, heart failure and GI complications. There are no preventative vaccines or drugs to prevent Chagas’ disease. Chagas’ disease can be transmitted vertically from an infected mother to her unborn baby via the placenta. Chagas’ disease can be transmitted by blood transfusions.

Question the donor and confirm if they were born in any part of South or Central America including Southern Mexico.