Health

Malaria

Malaria is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes found in certain parts of the world. To ensure the highest level of safety for patients receiving a blood transfusion, in some situations it is necessary to temporarily defer blood donation or perform a specific malaria test.

The eligibility criteria for donating blood after travelling to or living in a malaria-risk area have recently been updated. Depending on your situation, you may be able to donate again once the required deferral period has ended or after undergoing a specific malaria test.

  • Have you had malaria or an unexplained fever after travelling to a malaria-risk area? If you have been diagnosed with malaria or have experienced an unexplained fever during or after travelling to a malaria-risk area, and more than 4 months have passed since you completed treatment or since your symptoms disappeared, you may, in some cases, be eligible for a specific malaria test to assess whether you can donate blood again.
  • Were you born in, or have you lived for 6 consecutive months or more in a malaria-risk area? If you have been in a malaria-risk area within the last 4 months, you will need to temporarily defer your blood donation. If 4 months or more have passed, you may donate blood, but a specific malaria test will be required before your donation can be used. This test will be repeated after each new trip to a malaria-risk area.
  • Have you travelled to a malaria-risk area?
    • Less than 4 months since your return: you will need to temporarily defer your donation.
    • Between 4 and 6 months: you may donate blood, but a specific malaria test will be required.
    • More than 6 months: you may donate blood as usual, with no malaria test required.

Check the list of countries with a risk of malaria.

Blood donation and plasma donation: two ways to keep helping

Blood donation and plasma donation are two ways of helping to save lives. In some situations, such as when the specific malaria test does not allow blood donation, you may still be able to continue donating by becoming a plasma donor, provided you meet all other medical eligibility requirements. Learn more about plasma donation

For any enquiries, contact atencioaldonant(ELIMINAR)@bst.cat or call (+34) 93 557 35 66.