The Corona Virus has impacted our lives in ways we could never have imagined a few short months ago. Our members are concerned about the risks of this virus on their health and well-being. The advice from our Medical Advisors around the world is consistent and the World Health Organisation provides regular updates.
This strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19) is a novel virus. It has emerged in recent months and so its interactions with people with genetic haemochromatosis have not been specifically studied. There is no evidence to suggest that people with haemochromatosis are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
However older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more often than others.
Because of COVID-19 there has been a reduction in the number of blood donors which is impacting national supplies of blood products. Blood services around the world are calling for all eligible and well donors to give blood now. Please encourage your members to give blood if they can and to ask others to do the same.
For regular updates on COVID-19 please click here.