Banned from donating blood for a yr b/c of travel!

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

I went to give my usual donation and as usual they asked about travel outside the country within the last 3 years.
So I said UK (6/08, they've already got that noted) and then Mexico.


Blood tech:: "Where?"
--Yucatan, near Cancun

"Is that Quintana Roo?"
--Yes (and here I thought she was just interested in travel, we have talked trips before.)

"When did you get back?"
-- October 24th.

" You are not allowed to donate until a year and day, see you next year, Oct 25".

--why?!!?

"Rain forest, possible malaria"...........

I was quite surprised. And disappointed. (And if I was paranoid I"d be waiting for symptoms, but it seems they would be here by now... -?)

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Yep, there is a slight danger of malaria in Q Roo, mainly in the inland areas including ruins areas like Coba and Chitzen-Itza.

[bunk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bunk]

I suggest you call up:
New York Blood Center
(800) 688-0900
and ask to speak to a Clinical Supervisor,
Special Donor and Community Health Services.

One of the problems is that the list that the person interviewing you uses only shows the places with the highest population in the area. So for us, the list didn't show Akumal, Tulum and Isla Mujeres near Cancun and certain towns near Cabo San Lucas.

I gave our specific itinerary to a supervisor and he determined that we were able to give blood. He sent me an email which I now bring in when I donate blood.

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

Thanks Bunk -- but now reading Tony's post -- re Chichen Itza.... I was there so maybe it will still be a no -but worth a try.