Must not donate if:
a) The mother has ever had malaria.

b) The mother has had an undiagnosed fever (that could have been malaria) while abroad or within six months of leaving a malaria endemic area.

c) The mother has lived in any malarial endemic area for a continuous period of six months or more at any time of life.

d) Less than 12 months after last leaving a malaria endemic area.

Discretionary

1. Mothers who have had malaria diagnosed:
If it is more than three years since both anti-malarial therapy was completed and symptoms caused by malaria have resolved, and a validated test for malaria antibody is negative, accept.

2. For other mothers:
If at least six months has passed since the date of the last potential exposure to malaria, or the date of recovery from symptoms that may have been caused by malaria, a validated test for malaria antibody is negative, accept.

If the malaria antibody is positive obtain details of exposure and treatment and discuss with the Designated Medical Officer. A risk assessment must be documented and, if accepted, the details must be discussed at selection with the transplant centre.

See if Relevant

Geographical Disease Risk Index for countries with a current endemic malaria risk.

Additional Information

Cases of malaria transmission have occurred many years after the mother was last at risk of becoming infected with malaria. This is mainly a problem in people who have had repeated episodes of infection with malaria. This is uncommon, but before allowing someone who has had, or may have had malaria to give a donation, it is safer to test for malaria antibodies rather than to wait a specific length of time. Malaria may be fatal.

Reason for Change

To allow a risk assessment to be performed when the donor is the best match for a recipient.

Update Information

This entry was last updated in
TDSG-CB Edition 203, Release 02