Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 November 1996. It was answered by Lord Horam (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 November 1996 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: On what date mandatory testing of blood donations for CJD was introduced in the United Kingdom. -

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date mandatory testing of blood donations for CJD was introduced in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [6311] Mr. Horam: There is no test available to detect any transmissible agent which may cause Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the blood of living persons. There is no evidence of any risk of transmission of CJD through blood or blood products. However, as a precautionary measure, National Blood Service guidelines exclude from giving blood individuals with central nervous system diseases, or who have received human pituitary growth hormone or human gonadotrophin of pituitary origin, and people with a family history of CJD.

Secondary information