There are changes for travelers who may want to give blood when they get home. Canadian Blood Services has introduced a new policy that kicks in tomorrow, as it tries to protect the blood supply from the Zika virus. People travelling outside of Canada, the continental U.S. and Europe will now have to wait 3 weeks before donating blood.

That will impact Canada's blood supply so Canadian Blood Services is encouraging other Canadians to fill those travelers’ shoes.

Blood donor Myra Molloy is filling out a questionnaire as she waits her turn to donate blood.  That questionnaire will change as of tomorrow.  One more question will be added to the list:  Have you travelled outside of Canada, the continental U.S. or Europe in the last 21 days.

“Obviously it's a good thing to protect the blood supply,” says Molloy, “That's the objective here.”

Indeed it is as concern over the Zika virus spreads as fast as the virus itself. It is believed to be linked to 4000 babies in Brazil born with abnormally small heads.  And now Spain has its first confirmed case of a pregnant woman diagnosed with Zika.  The World Health Organization has declared this a public health emergency.  And Canadian Blood Services is now asking blood donors who have travelled to wait before they donate.

Dr. Dana Devine is the chief medical and scientific officer with Canadian Blood Services, “That means anyone who is travelling to warm places in the Americas and that's the Zika zone,” she says. “We want people to wait for a while after they've been there to make sure they are not carrying the Zika virus before they donate blood.”

Carlo Chiucchi, who started donating blood once he turned 17, says “It’s probably a good idea to make sure you're safe for first 21 days and make sure there's nothing in your blood stream or anything like that.”

Dr. Devine says about 800,000 people a year in Canada donate blood.  The change in policy could impact about 4 and 5% of those donors; donors like Helen MacKinnon.

"I just got back from Maui, which is lovely,” she says, “I don't know if that's part of the area affected but it is south.”

According to Dr. Devine, it is an affected area but the policy doesn't start until tomorrow.  It's believed 21 days is enough time for the virus to work its way through the blood system.   Dr. Devine estimates about 40-thousand donors could be impacted by the policy change and that could impact our blood supply.

“If you've never been a donor before but thought you wanted to be one,” says Dr. Devine, “this is your time to come out and help us.” 

Carlo Chiucchi says he's willing to donate more offer to cover any shortfall and encourages others to come out as well.

“Do it, you can save a life,” he says, “it's a great thing to do.”

If you are interested in becoming a donor, check out the website at www.blood.ca.  There is an eligibility quiz to find out whether you can give and when.