The Department of Health has announced an extension to the precautionary measures to reduce the possible risk of vCJD being transmitted by blood and blood components. Around 100 donors from around the UK have been advised not to donate blood anymore. These donors have previously given blood which has been given to 3 patients who went on to develop vCJD.

This is an extension to the existing precautionary measures against the possible risk of vCJD, introduced in the UK since 1997, which include leucodepletion; deferral of previously transfused donors (transfused since 1980); and use of US plasma in blood products.

Related websites:

BBC News Article
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4699349.stm

Scotland Today News Article
http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/content/default.asp?page=s1_1_1&newsid=8364

Google News