Can you donate blood after international travel?
It depends on where you went. The main rule is for malaria: travel to a malaria risk area usually means waiting 3 months after you return before donating.
Travel abroad can affect your eligibility to give blood, depending on the destination. The rules exist to protect both the patient and you.
Malaria
Malaria can be transmitted through transfusion, so it is the main travel concern.
- Travel to a malaria risk area: generally a 3 month wait after you return to a non-malarial area. If you were there for a short time, the center checks the specific country
- If you had malaria: a much longer deferral, often 3 years after you are symptom free and treated
- Lived in a malaria area: other rules apply; check with the center
Other infections
- Dengue, Zika and chikungunya: a short wait after recovery, or no wait if you had no symptoms. Policies change, so check
- Specific countries and regions may have extra rules during outbreaks
Low risk travel
Travel to countries without malaria risk, such as most of Europe, Canada or Australia, does not usually require a wait. Many past restrictions related to "mad cow" disease were lifted by the FDA in 2022.
What to do
Tell the screener every country you have visited in the past year. The Red Cross and other centers have a travel lookup, and the screener decides based on your itinerary. If you are unsure, call before you go.
This information is general and does not replace advice from a health professional. Your eligibility is always decided at the donor screening on the day of donation. Rules change, so confirm with the American Red Cross or the blood center where you plan to donate.