jgh1204 Posted November 15, 2016 #1 Share Posted November 15, 2016 (edited) Got a call this morning from my local blood bank asking me to come in and donate platelets. I asked about being deferred after visiting Honduras. The initial answer was yes, I would have to wait one year. After i explained I was only in Mahogany Bay she did some more checking. I was finally cleared to donate since I had only been in the country less than 24 hours. I only post this because I found a lot of conflicting information in my Internet searches. Edited November 15, 2016 by jgh1204 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted November 15, 2016 #2 Share Posted November 15, 2016 Good info to have, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evandbob Posted November 15, 2016 #3 Share Posted November 15, 2016 Got a call this morning from my local blood bank asking me to come in and donate platelets. I asked about being deferred after visiting Honduras. The initial answer was yes, I would have to wait one year. After i explained I was only in Mahogany Bay she did some more checking. I was finally cleared to donate since I had only been in the country less than 24 hours. I only post this because I found a lot of conflicting information in my Internet searches. The denial box is for mainland areas, but can be interpreted differently by different collection agencies or someone new or lacking a sense or knowledge of geography. I have donated blood after spending a week on Roatan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megansdad1 Posted November 15, 2016 #4 Share Posted November 15, 2016 I donate platelets often, so I have talked to the phlebotomists often. They say that travel restrictions can often change based on current disease issues. One week you may be fine and the next you may be deferred. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgh1204 Posted November 15, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted November 15, 2016 The person doing the screening said they were working off new rules that they got last night. No problems donating this afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kcruiser2014 Posted November 16, 2016 #6 Share Posted November 16, 2016 Yep. I was told same thing today. They screen for Zika now, so they don't defer for that anymore! Yay! I cruise often, so it was really putting a crimp in my platelet donations. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richkinkade Posted November 16, 2016 #7 Share Posted November 16, 2016 A lot of people working at blood banks and bloodmobiles don't know this, but "Travel to a malaria-endemic area" is defined by the CDC as being there for more than 24 hours. "Travel to a malaria-endemic area - Any travel to or through a malaria-endemic area or areas, as identified by CDC (see definition above). *The duration of travel to a malaria-endemic area is defined as more than 24 hours to less than 5 years. " http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Blood/ucm365191.htm On a cruise ship, your time in Mahogany Bay will generally be less than 24 hours, meaning that you did NOT travel to Honduras, as defined by the CDC for purposes of blood donation deferrals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smarks Posted November 16, 2016 #8 Share Posted November 16, 2016 Thanks everybody for this information. We have been declined many times. Now we will be armed with a little more info. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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