Latest news with #vCJD
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
First-time blood donor age limit to be raised from 60 to 65 from Jan 1: Ong Ye Kung
First-time blood donor age limit to be raised from 60 to 65 from Jan 1: Ong Ye Kung SINGAPORE - The upper age limit for first-time blood donors in Singapore will be raised from 60 to 65 from January 1, 2026, with improvement in life expectancy and people getting stronger in their older years. The move to expand the blood donor pool comes amid local data that shows adverse donor reactions, like like fainting and dizziness, decreases among first-time donors as they get older, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on June 28. This change also aligns with practices in territories such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Korea and United Kingdom. These countries and cities generally allow first-time donors aged 65 to 69. The current first-time donation age limit is 60. Once a person has donated blood before, they can continue to do so up to the day before their 66th birthday. Mr Ong made the announcement to raise the age limit at a World Blood Donor Day event by the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). 'Each blood donation saves up to three lives, such as a child battling cancer, a mother in labour or an elderly person undergoing surgery,' he said at the event at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. In 2023, more than 35,000 patients in Singapore received life-saving blood transfusions . The health minister recounted how his mother needed quite a bit of blood transfusion in the past as she was sick, but he would always get rejected at the blood bank when trying to donate as he lived in the UK in the 1980s. Singapore used to restrict blood donations from people who had lived in the UK due to concerns over the Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) linked to the consumption of contaminated beef. The worry was valid, Mr Ong said, but he was thankful that he can now donate blood after HSA eased restrictions for blood donations through aphresis in 2023. Whole blood donations collect the blood with all its components, while apheresis donations collect specific blood components such as plasma or platelets. More than 2,000 blood donors and 37 organisations were lauded at the event on June 28 . SRC and HSA said in a joint statement that these contributions are significant given the current challenges facing Singapore's blood supply. 'As Singapore approaches super-aged status in 2026, ensuring a sustainable blood supply is becoming more urgent,' they said. Singapore's ageing population presents a challenge as patients aged 60 and above now account for 60 per cent of total red blood cell usage, yet the pool of eligible donors is shrinking pool, they added. New blood donor numbers have declined by more than 11 per cent since 2013. Singapore had around 18,000 new donors in 2024, down from more than 20,000 in 2013. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung delivers his speech during the World Blood Donor Day 2025 Award Ceremony at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention on June 28. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Many donate blood, bu t only four in 10 donors give more than once a year, SRC and HSA said. 'This low rate of repeat donation underscores the urgent need to cultivate more committed, regular donors who make blood donation part of their lifestyle.' SRC and HSA have partnered workplaces to grow the donor pool, encouraging organisations over the past year to 'adopt' a bloodbank and promote blood donation among employees. At the June 28 event, three organisations - Buddhist temple Varadhatus Ratanarama Association, Combat Service Support Command by The Singapore Army, and the Singapore Bangladesh Society - were recognised with a new award, for each donating more than 40 units of blood annually. The Adopt the Bloodbank Award aims to boost participation beyond one -off blood drives and encourages organisations to take sustained ownership over the bloodbank they adopt. Youth is also another target group of donors. The YouthInspire club, launched in 2024 to encourage youth aged 16 to 25 to donate blood, has since drawn 450 young people to run donor recruitment events and campaigns. A new Blood Donation Advocacy Challenge held in partnership with the National Youth Council (NYC), will launch in 2025 for youth between 16 to 25 years old. Those interested can look out for updates on the HeyBloodBuddy Instagram page. Teams will develop campaigns to boost youth donations, with three finalists presenting their ideas at the inaugural National Blood Dialogue in September. Winners will receive the NYC Young ChangeMakers grant of up to $3,000 or $5,000 to bring their campaigns to life . Mr Elvis Chung, 52, was diagnosed with thalassemia major when he was seven, and received occasional blood transfusions in his early years. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Mr Elvis Chung, 52, was diagnosed with thalassemia major when he was seven, and received occasional blood transfusions in his early years. The condition is an inherited blood disorder that affects the body's ability to produce haemoglobin and healthy red blood cells. Since 2019, he has received regular blood transfusions once every three weeks. He said: 'Thanks to your donations, I've enjoyed a fulfilling career of almost 30 years in auditing and banking. You might never meet the people who receive your blood, but you make a real difference. Your gift gives us life, hope and dignity.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Cision Canada
09-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
National Blood Donor Week - Héma-Québec issues reminder about the importance of summer blood donations Français
MONTREAL, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - June 9–15 is National Blood Donor Week, and Héma-Québec is asking the public to answer the call to give blood this summer. Whether you're a regular or first-time donor, your contribution is essential! Although donation bookings often slow down in summer when the weather gets nice and everyone goes on vacation, the need for blood remains critical all throughout the year. Every day, 1,000 donations are needed to meet the needs of hospitals across the province. This National Blood Donor Week, Héma-Québec would also like to thank its donors, volunteers and staff for the essential work they do every day of the year. Your first donation is easier than ever! A number of donation eligibility criteria were relaxed last year to allow more people to donate. For example, people who spent time in France or the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s were previously excluded due to risks related to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). They are now eligible to donate, along with a greater number of people with diabetes. Another change was the adoption of gender-neutral questionnaires in 2022, which have helped a more sexually diverse range of people make donations. Several blood drives take place each week throughout Québec, and appointments can be booked at different times at one of Héma-Québec's donation centres. Additionally, to improve the donation experience and offer more flexibility, Héma-Québec recently extended operating hours at several donation centres in Greater Montréal: facilities in Brossard, Laval, Montréal, Kirkland and Saint-Bruno are now open until 8:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and are also open on weekends. You can book an appointment online or by calling 1-800-343-7264 (SANG). If you want to make sure you are eligible to donate before coming in, visit Héma-Québec's website or call Donor Services at 1-800-847-2525. About Héma-Québec Héma-Québec's mission is to efficiently meet the Québec population's needs for blood and other high-quality biological products of human origin. Héma-Québec has over 1,900 employees, more than 200,000 donors of blood, stem cells, mother's milk and human tissues, as well as thousands of blood drive volunteers. Every year, Héma-Québec delivers nearly 800,000 biological products of human origin to Québec's hospitals in order to meet patients' needs.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
National Blood Donor Week - Héma-Québec issues reminder about the importance of summer blood donations
MONTREAL, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - June 9–15 is National Blood Donor Week, and Héma-Québec is asking the public to answer the call to give blood this summer. Whether you're a regular or first-time donor, your contribution is essential! Although donation bookings often slow down in summer when the weather gets nice and everyone goes on vacation, the need for blood remains critical all throughout the year. Every day, 1,000 donations are needed to meet the needs of hospitals across the province. This National Blood Donor Week, Héma-Québec would also like to thank its donors, volunteers and staff for the essential work they do every day of the year. Your first donation is easier than ever! A number of donation eligibility criteria were relaxed last year to allow more people to donate. For example, people who spent time in France or the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s were previously excluded due to risks related to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). They are now eligible to donate, along with a greater number of people with diabetes. Another change was the adoption of gender-neutral questionnaires in 2022, which have helped a more sexually diverse range of people make donations. Several blood drives take place each week throughout Québec, and appointments can be booked at different times at one of Héma-Québec's donation centres. Additionally, to improve the donation experience and offer more flexibility, Héma-Québec recently extended operating hours at several donation centres in Greater Montréal: facilities in Brossard, Laval, Montréal, Kirkland and Saint-Bruno are now open until 8:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and are also open on weekends. You can book an appointment online or by calling 1-800-343-7264 (SANG). If you want to make sure you are eligible to donate before coming in, visit Héma-Québec's website or call Donor Services at 1-800-847-2525. About Héma-Québec Héma-Québec's mission is to efficiently meet the Québec population's needs for blood and other high-quality biological products of human origin. Héma-Québec has over 1,900 employees, more than 200,000 donors of blood, stem cells, mother's milk and human tissues, as well as thousands of blood drive volunteers. Every year, Héma-Québec delivers nearly 800,000 biological products of human origin to Québec's hospitals in order to meet patients' needs. SOURCE Héma-Québec View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
ITV News
20-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Case of atypical BSE found in cow on Essex farm as Animal and Plant Health Agency plays down risk
A single case of atypical BSE has been found in a cow on a farm, officials have said. The case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was uncovered on a farm in Essex after the animal showed some symptoms. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said the cow was humanely culled but there was no risk to public health or food safety, and the animal was not destined to enter the food chain. Atypical BSE is a naturally occurring and non-contagious brain disease that occurs spontaneously, but rarely, in cattle. It is distinct from classical BSE, which was linked to contaminated animal feed, and was responsible for the UK's "mad cow disease" outbreak in the 1980s and 1990s that led to the culling of millions of cattle and caused fatal variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in people. Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: "A single case of atypical BSE has been confirmed on a farm in Essex. "The animal died on the farm and was tested as part of our strict routine controls and surveillance regime. "Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously and sporadically occurring, non-contagious disease which is believed to occur at a very low level in all cattle populations. "This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working." Dr James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the Food Standards Agency said: "There is no food safety risk. "There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity. "Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place."
North Wales Chronicle
20-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Single case of atypical BSE found in cow in Essex
The case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was uncovered after the animal showed some symptoms, and was humanely culled and tested for the disease, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said. Officials said there was no risk to public health or food safety and the animal was not destined to enter the food chain. Atypical BSE is a naturally occurring and non-contagious brain disease and occurs spontaneously, but rarely, in cattle, officials said. It is distinct from classical BSE which is linked to contaminated animal feed, and was responsible for the UK's 'mad cow disease' outbreak in the 1980s and 1990s that led to the culling of millions of cattle and caused fatal variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) in people. Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: 'A single case of atypical BSE has been confirmed on a farm in Essex. 'The animal died on farm and was tested as part of our strict routine controls and surveillance regime. 'Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously and sporadically occurring, non-contagious disease which is believed to occur at a very low level in all cattle populations. 'This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working.' Dr James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the Food Standards Agency said: 'There is no food safety risk. 'There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity. 'Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Agency official veterinarians and meat hygiene inspectors working in all abattoirs in England will continue to ensure that the safety of consumers remains the top priority.'
