After Australia's Red Cross Blood Service reviewed its donation guidelines after Canada halted donations from people who have had chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), blood donations from people diagnosed with CFS are now banned.

For the current policy on ME/CFS and blood donation, please visit the Red Cross Blood Bank website.

Canadian authorities took the precautionary step earlier this month, based on US research that linked CFS to a recently identified virus (XMRV) which would be transmissible via infected blood.

Australia's blood service is conducting its own risk analysis. It says existing donor guidelines require people with CFS to defer giving blood until they make a full recovery. (Source: The Age, 20th April 2010)

New Zealand's blood banks plan to reject donors with a record of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). (Source: Stuff.co.nz, 21st April 2010)

The European ME Alliance (EMEA) are also calling for a Europe-wide ban on blood donation for people diagnosed with ME/CFS. More details here. (Source: Co-Cure.Org, 26th April 2010)

In December 2009, the Australian Red Cross advised people who have been diagnosed with or suspected of having ME/CFS not to donate blood. An email from the Red Cross to a potential donor on the 10th of December 2009 indicated:

"Current advice within the Australian Red Cross Blood Service is that chronic fatigue syndrome patients are not eligible to give blood until the condition is resolved and recovery confirmed by treating doctor."

The current advice from UK Blood Services in relation to ME/CFS has been further clarified: "Individuals suffering from ME/CFS are deferred from blood donation until their condition has resolved and they are feeling completely well."

Recent articles on ME/CFS, blood donation and XMRV

The Age: CFS 'link' prompts blood donation review, by Danny Rose
Posted: 20th April 2010
Australia's Red Cross Blood Service is reviewing its donation guidelines after Canada halted donations from people who have had chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

International Articles

Stuff.Co.NZ: Chronic fatigue donors face rejection, April 21st 2010.

BMJ: Canada bans blood donations from people with history of chronic fatigue syndrome, 9th April 2010.

National Post: Canada to ban chronic-fatigue blood, April 8th 2010.

The Gazette: Canada bans blood donation from people with chronic fatigue, April 7th 2010.

Toronto Sun: Chronic fatigue suffers can't give blood, April 7th 2010.