Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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454. To ask the Minister for Health the screening process in place to detect Lyme disease in blood donations; the consequences for a positive identification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42245/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Blood Transfusion Service does not currently test for Lyme disease (B. burgdorferi infection) and has advised that there are no plans to do so in the short term. Lyme disease was risk-assessed as a transfusion risk by the United Kingdom Standing Advisory Committee on Transfusion Transmitted Diseases and the findings approved by the Joint United Kingdom Blood Transfusion Services Professional Advisory Committee in 2016. The Committee concluded that “no specific measures are needed for B. burgdorferi infection in potential blood donors in view of the lack of evidence of transfusion-transmitted infection".

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has advised that a donor who has had Lyme disease can donate two weeks after complete recovery (and a minimum of one week after completing antibiotics - which are prescribed for a three week course). A donor who has symptoms of chronic Lyme disease cannot donate blood.

I am informed that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service will keep developments in this area under review.