Western Caribbean Cruise=Can't donate blood

[y2khardtop]

I've been a regular blood donor for 25 years, and just found out that I can't give blood for a YEAR because I cruised to Mexico. Both Costa Maya and Cozumel have Malaria risks, and neither Red Cross or Community Blood Center (local) will take blood from those regions

I wouldn't expect anyone to skip a cruise because of this, but just wanted to share the info.

If you visit these regions, you can't give blood for 1 YEAR

 

[cla517]

I've never heard of that! I give blood about every 6 months and I take cruises. I've never been turned away. Usually there is a time factor with the other countries. (Like they ask if you've spent X amount of time.) When I tell them I visited a place on a cruise, they've never been worried!

I wonder if this is a new risk?

 

[Yokelridesagain]

This just happened eight months ago--the CDC updated the donation criteria based on an increased classification of the risk for malaria in Quintana Roo (the Mexican state where Cozumel and Costa Maya are located). This may explain why PP hasn't encountered this issue.

 

[EDelashmit]

This is true. We travelled with a family member who donates regularly. He just did not disembark in Costa Maya or Cozumel and could still donate. He got off in Grand Caymen. HTH.

 

[sayhello]

Well, heck. I'm doing the Western Caribbean in December. I give several times a year (and have for eons) and that's going to be a pain. I'm not changing my vacation plans just to be able to give blood, so that's really sad for me. Thanks for the info. At least it won't come as a surprise.

Sayhello

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

We travel to Mexico regularly (2-3 times a year) and have been rejects for about 6 years now.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

This happened to me after the Wonder PC cruise.

I give plasma, platelets, double red, and whole blood regularly. I was put on the deferral list because of a stop in Costa Rica. And I must admit, I will not stop cruising to stay off the list.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

This won't be a problem for me since I have a lifetime ban because I grew up in Germany as an Army brat.

 

[lsenquiz]

So this would not be true if you are on the Eastern cruise? My DH would be devistated if he was put on the deferred list. They turned him away once for a low iron count and he was not a happy camper.

 

[Yokelridesagain]

So this would not be true if you are on the Eastern cruise? My DH would be devistated if he was put on the deferred list. They turned him away once for a low iron count and he was not a happy camper.

Correct, at least as far as Disney goes. The only Caribbean island where malaria is endemic is Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic)--this could affect you if you went on another line that visits one of those countries. (Note that RCCL's private port, Labadee, is in Haiti, and even though the port is felt to be free of malaria risk, travelers have been turned away from donation for visiting there--anecdotal reports suggest that this is somewhat inconsistent).

Every country in central America is associated with a risk of malaria in at least part of the country, as are some parts of all South American countries except Uruguay and Chile (it is only a very small portion of Argentina that is affected as well).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This won't be a problem for me since I have a lifetime ban because I grew up in Germany as an Army brat.

Don't really mean to hijack the thread, but why? I grew up in Germany as an Army brat (actually born there) and I've always been able to give blood (back in my blood donation days).

 

[Yokelridesagain]

Well, heck. I'm doing the Western Caribbean in December. I give several times a year (and have for eons) and that's going to be a pain. I'm not changing my vacation plans just to be able to give blood, so that's really sad for me. Thanks for the info. At least it won't come as a surprise.

Sayhello

Yes, it's unfortunate, particularly as the risk is so low. Malaria is quite unusual in Quintana Roo even among inhabitants, and your risk of actually getting malaria on a brief visit to the major tourist areas is very, very low. (The CDC doesn't even recommend anti-malarial drugs for travel to this area, meaning that the risk of you getting malaria is less than the risk of you being harmed by the drugs.)

Hypervigilance about the safety of the blood supply is the rule; it could be argued that this is taken too far in certain circumstances.

 

[Yokelridesagain]

Don't really mean to hijack the thread, but why? I grew up in Germany as an Army brat (actually born there) and I've always been able to give blood (back in my blood donation days).

Depends on when you were there. You may be dating yourself, alas.

If you spent six months in Germany on a military base from 1980-1990, or more than five years there from 1980 to present, as of this writing you are on the permaban list for blood donation.

This is because of a theoretical concern about transmission of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (the human condition linked to "mad cow disease").

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Don't really mean to hijack the thread, but why? I grew up in Germany as an Army brat (actually born there) and I've always been able to give blood (back in my blood donation days).

I was born there too! They changed the rules back when Mad Cow Disease was all over the news.

 

[BoosGram]

I know this ban goes back several years. Because of a tropical storm, we were rerouted to Costa Maya and it was a big shock to me the next time when I tried to donate and they said not for a year.

 

[JOANNEL]

This won't be a problem for me since I have a lifetime ban because I grew up in Germany as an Army brat.

Us too!! Live in Germany from 86-90. It's a shame we both have O and gave routinely before we were banned!!!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I had to chime in as well - ME TOO! I left Germany in '92 so therefore I'm in the "banned club" It's sort of funny telling people, "no thanks, I CAN'T donate due to Mad Cow issues"... lol I thought Chernobyl was a concern as well since that happened while I was living in Germany as well.

Thanks for the info OP about Mexico - wasn't aware of that.

Thanks,
Heather

 

[Rob S.]

I give plasma, platelets, double red, and whole blood regularly. I was put on the deferral list because of a stop in Costa Rica. And I must admit, I will not stop cruising to stay off the list.

Same here. I was surprised when I was deferred in May after my Fantasy cruise. I am NOT changing my vacations just to be able to donate blood.

 

[chrissyt27]

My husband also gives blood every chance he can, but after our 12/2010 cruise he couldn't for awhile. we are going to Panama and will be back on the list.

 

[Handbag Lady]

This won't be a problem for me since I have a lifetime ban because I grew up in Germany as an Army brat.

I also have a lifetime ban because I spent three vacations in England in the 1980's.

I still don't understand it because before my trips, I gave blood very often.