Looking at the Red Cross page there is a separate travel section which says “ Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" i

Looking at the Red Cross page there is a separate travel section which says “ Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" is found are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (vCJD). See - Eligibility Reference Material“ So i think there is a travel restriction and a transfusion restriction which are independent.