Chikungunya in Italy: Blood Donation Deferral in Scotland
02 Oct 2017
Chikungunya continues to be transmitted in the Lazio (Rome and surrounding areas) region of Italy.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) 
has announced that travellers returning from this area must wait at least 4 weeks before giving blood, effective from 2 October.
Advice for Travellers
Those who have been unwell during a visit to Lazio, or within 4 weeks of return may have to wait longer than 4 weeks before donating.
Those who have returned from Lazio should call the SNBTS helpline on 0345 90 90 999, use the SNBTS online contact form or email nss.snbtsenquiry@nhs.net for advice before attending a session.
Those who have been to Italy, but not to Lazio should advise SNBTS of their travel but should still be able to donate.
This advice is in agreement with that published by NHS Blood & Transplant in England.
For further information see Chikungunya.