Travel

Travel outside the UK can affect whether or not you can give blood. Some destinations will prevent you from donating for a period of time following your visit, including popular holiday destinations for Welsh holidaymakers. This is because some infections may be caught abroad, usually through mosquito or other insect bites.

Checking a destination

1. The Geographical Disease Risk Index is used by all UK blood donation services to assess travel risk.
2. Search the destination(s) you’re travelling to or have travelled to. Some destinations, including popular destinations such as Spain, France, and Italy, carry an infection risk and may result in you having to delay your donation.
3. Check the risk. The Risk Index will inform you of any potential risks associated with your destination, and the period of time you need to wait before you are able to donate.

Common infections

Below are some of the most common infection risks that may prevent you from donating blood.

Malaria

Please wait 120 days (four months) after visiting a malaria area before donating, even if you take antimalarial medication …read more.

To confirm whether you need a malaria test after travelling to, or living in, an area where malaria is endemic, or following a malarial illness, please contact us at 0800 252266.

West Nile Virus (WNV)

If you have visited a risk area and donate blood within 28 days of returning, an extra test is required. We will let you know if the test is positive.

If you become unwell within 28 days of returning from a risk area, please let us know. You will need to wait six months before donating. Read more.

Tropical Viruses (Chikungunya, Dengue or Zika Virus)

Travel to a Tropical Virus Risk area means that you have to wait 28 days before you can donate. This is extended to six months if you become unwell during your visit or within 28 days of leaving the risk area.

Trypanosoma Cruzi Risk (T-Cruzi) and Chagas Disease

An assessment is needed if:

• You spent over 28 days in rural areas of a T-Cruzi risk area.
• You or your mother were born in South America, Central America or Mexico.

Chagas Disease, caused by the T-cruzi parasite, can also be transmitted through blood transfusions and from mother to child.

If this applies to you, please get in touch.

Viral Haemorrhagic Fever

The term refers to diseases caused by viruses like Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Rift Valley fever and Ebola.

Donors with a history of viral haemorrhagic fever must never donate. If you have visited a risk area, you will need to wait six months before donating.

Outbreaks and new infections

New infections can emerge at any time, so our rules can change at short notice.