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# Viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) - Whole blood and components

## Essential information

Definition/s

  Viral haemorrhagic fever endemic areas are shown in the Geographical Disease Risk Index as a Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Risk. Outbreak information is also listed but is not required for WB-DSG users.

Includes

  Crimean-Congo Fever, Ebola Virus Disease, Lassa Fever, Marburg Fever.

### Scenarios

Affected individual

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  Ever diagnosed with a viral haemorrhagic fever.

Contact with an affected individual or travel to endemic country

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  Less than 6 months from last contact with an affected individual or travel to an endemic country.

Discretionary

  If more than 6 months from last contact, completion of investigations or return to the UK from endemic country, accept.

Sexual partner of an affected individual

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  The donor has had sex with an individual who had been diagnosed with a viral haemorrhagic fever at any time before their last sexual contact.

## Supporting information

See if relevant
  - Geographical Disease Risk Index for countries with a current endemic VHF risk
Additional information

  There is evidence of persistent virus in individuals who recover from several forms of viral haemorrhagic fever. For this reason, it is necessary to defer the sexual partners of these individuals.

Reason for change:
  A permanent deferral has been introduced for donors who have had sex with an individual who has been diagnosed with a viral haemorrhagic fever.

BETA

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