Creutzfeldt-Jakob (CJD) disease is also called Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "Mad-Cow disease." BSE is a progressive neurological disorder in cattle that results from infection by an unusual transmissible agent called a prion (pronounced pree-on). The nature of the transmissible agent isn't well understood, but the most accepted theory is that the agent is a modified form of the normal prion protein. It's thought that the normal prion protein changes into a harmful form that damages the brain of cattle.

The U.S. used to defer people seeking to give blood if they spent more than a specified period of time in specific countries considered "at risk" for CJD or variant CJD. In April 2020, the FDA updated its guidance for vCJD deferrals by eliminating the majority of the deferrals for those who spent time in European countries or on U.S. bases in Europe. Those locations were previously considered to have been exposed to a potential risk of transmission of CJD/vCJD. In May 2022, the FDA updated its guidance once again for vCJD deferrals and there are now no restrictions for blood donors. It's been lifted completely for all European travel.

If you know of the local ASBP blood donor center in your area or contact information, reach out to them directly. If not, contact us to find out more about how to sponsor a drive in your area us.

No, not at this time.