How are your COWS???????????

[Judy Hamilton]

Ian and Hans????????

In-Depth Discussion of Variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease and Blood Donation
In some parts of the world, cattle can get an infectious, fatal brain disease
called Mad Cow Disease. In these same locations, humans have started to get
a new disease called variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD) which is also a
fatal brain disease. Scientists believe that vCJD is Mad Cow Disease that has
somehow transferred to humans, possibly through the food chain.
There is now evidence from a small number of case reports involving patients
and laboratory animal studies that vCJD can be transmitted through
transfusion. There is no test for vCJD in humans that could be used to screen blood
donors and to protect the blood supply. This means that blood programs must take
special precautions to keep vCJD out of the blood supply by avoiding
collections from those who have been where this disease is found.
At this time, the American Red Cross donor eligibility rules related to vCJD
are as follows:
You are not eligible to donate if:
From January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1996, you spent (visited or
lived) a cumulative time of 3 months or more, in the United Kingdom (UK), or
From January 1, 1980, to present, you had a blood transfusion in any
country(ies) in the (UK). The UK includes any of the countries listed below.
* Channel Islands
* England
* Falkland Islands
* Gibraltar
* Isle of Man
* Northern Ireland
* Scotland
* Wales
You were a member of the of the U.S. military, a civilian military employee,
or a dependent of a member of the U.S. military who spent a total time of 6
months on or associated with a military base in any of the following areas
during the specified time frames
* From 1980 through 1990 - Belgium, the Netherlands (Holland), or
Germany
* From 1980 through 1996 - Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece.
You spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 5 years or more from
January 1, 1980, to present, in any combination of country(ies) in Europe,
including
* in the UK from 1980 through 1996 as listed in above
* on or associated with military bases as described above, and
* in other countries in Europe as listed below:
* Albania
* Austria
* Montenegro (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
* Belgium
* Bosnia/Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Norway
* Poland
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Romania
* Finland
* France
* Slovak Republic (Slovakia)
* Germany
* Greece
* Spain
* Hungary
* Ireland (Republic of)
* Italy
* Kosovo (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
* Liechtenstein
* Luxembourg
* Macedonia
* Netherlands (Holland)
* Portugal
* Serbia (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
* Slovenia
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Yugoslavia (Federal Republic includes Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia)

[Terri Knoll]

I can't give blood here in the states because I lived in Germany...I understand the precautions but it's still a bummer. My daughter has A- blood and was asked about donating blood to make a certain shot given to negative mothers so as not to lose their baby. But since she also lived in Germany, they cannot use her blood.
so if any of Naznet hasn't been affected they should think about giving blood...especially those with negative antibodies.

[Hans Deventer]

Ian and Hans????????

I've heard nothing special about the cows recently.

[Gina Stevenson]

Yes, I'd heard that several years ago from a friend who lived in the Netherlands before returning to the States. She went to donate blood, and found out she never can here.

Then, there's this one silly program I tho't of, too, while reading this ... when caught not thinking quite so clearly, he blames it on "mad cow disease."

[yeah, I've said it before ... having worked the legal profession years ago, I sometimes find myself noting the humor found in a not-so-serious "legal(?)" show, entitled, "Boston Legal." :o

[Ian Gentles]

I believe the disease is now not in the cattle, it was some years back, and yes a few humane died. Then it was beleived they got it through eating contaminated meat, burgers etc!

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

Dwayne was in French Morroco for a year. He gave blood in advance for me, before my cancer surgery. I don't think i can give blood. Judy, do you know if I can donate any part of my body, after having cancer? I always wanted to donate my eyes.