Bermuda's blood supply seems to be steadying following a lull after restrictions were placed on some donors owing to the outbreak of a human variant of Mad Cow disease in Britain.

While there were 2,277 blood donations last year, the year before there were 2,116, and in 2001 2,135. That figure was substantially lower than in 2000 when the number of donations received was 2,486.

Government Chief Medical Officer John Cann said the restrictions imposed on donors who had stayed or lived in Europe between 1980 and 1996 were causing less impact now.

He said Government had not tightened up the policy to include donors who had spent time in the United States, following an outbreak of Mad Cow disease there, because there had not been any outbreaks of the human strain non-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

"There had been a temporary shortage of blood donors in years past," said Dr. Cann. "But my impression is that things have stabilised again."

In Bermuda, all blood donations were screened, he said, because "there is no guarantee that someone hasn't been exposed to a virus".

He added: "At the moment the blood supply is meeting our needs. But it is always a constant effort to ensure that there are volunteers on hand and at times we have special appeals for blood."

In addition to the Europe restriction, anyone who has had a tattoo or body piercing must wait one year before giving blood.

Patients who give blood are required to be healthy adults between 18 and 70, and must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. Each donation is slightly less than one pint, which takes the body less than 24 hours to replace.

Anyone who wants to give blood should contact the Bermuda Red Cross blood donor centre on 236-5067.