Can variant CJD be transmitted from person to person by blood?
Scientists haven’t yet determined if variant CJD can be transmitted by blood. To date, there has never been a documented case of variant CJD transmitted through blood transfusion. However, evidence from experimental work in animals suggests that transmission of variant CJD by blood is theoretically possible. There have been two reported cases of transfusion-associated vCJD infection in UK. As a precaution, since 1999, Health Canada has implemented policies to protect Canadians from the theoretical risk of transmission of variant CJD through blood. Because people living in or visiting high risk countries for BSE could have been exposed to meat or meat products from cattle infected with BSE, donor screening questionnaires restrict individuals from giving blood if they have: • spent a cumulative total of three months or more in the United Kingdom (UK) between the years 1980 and 1996; or • spent a cumulative total of three months or more in France between the years 1980 and 1996; or • spen
