Backgrounder: Donor Testing - Chagas Disease
- We combine donor screening with testing to keep the blood supply safe from diseases like Chagas. There have been zero reported cases of Chagas in our blood products since Chagas antibody testing was implemented in 2010.
- February 2009, Canadian Blood Services added questions to the donor screening questionnaire to identify donors who may be at increased risk for Chagas disease.
- In May 2010, Canadian Blood Services implemented selective testing for donors who may be at increased risk for Chagas disease.
- Canadian Blood Services is changing its approach to Chagas selective testing to focus on donors who have a change in risk status.
Donor Testing - Chagas Disease
Background
Chagas disease is caused by infection from a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). People can become infected after being bitten by an insect found mainly in parts of Mexico, Central and South America. However, the T. cruzi parasite can also be passed on from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, although this happens rarely, and from an infected blood donor by blood transfusion. Persons now living in Canada who were born or lived in countries where Chagas disease occurs, may have been infected without knowing it. There is no risk of getting Chagas disease in Canada as the insect that transmits it cannot live here.
How we are addressing the Chagas disease risk
In February 2009, Canadian Blood Services added three questions to the donor screening questionnaire to identify donors who may be at increased risk for Chagas disease. In May 2010, Canadian Blood Services implemented selective testing for donors who may be at increased risk for Chagas disease.
Donors are asked if they were born in or spent at least six continuous months in Mexico, Central or South America, and if they, or their mother or maternal grandmother, were born in these regions. These donors are tested for Chagas antibody. If the test is positive, the products are discarded and Canadian Blood Services will notify the donor and provide further information to the donor and their physician, if required.
As of March 1, 2020, donors with a travel risk will continue to be tested for Chagas. Donors who were born in or had a mother or maternal grandmother born in a Chagas endemic area who do not have a travel risk will only be tested once for Chagas.
As of May 10, 2021, people donating plasma for medications will no longer be asked about Chagas disease or tested for it as there is no risk of transmission with these types of donations.
About Chagas disease
Chagas disease is diagnosed by a blood test. Many people can be infected and never develop symptoms. However, those who do may have fever and swelling at the site of the insect bite. Although most people recover completely, some become chronically infected and can develop heart and gastrointestinal problems decades after infection.
For more information
To learn more about Canadian Blood Services contact us at: 1-877-709-7773 or by email: media@blood.ca