Creutzfeldt-Jakob DiseaseCreutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

• Classic CJD occurs worldwide at 1-2 cases per million population per year

• In people over 50, the annual rate is about 3.4 per million per year

• The United States reports about 300 cases of CJD a year

• For 2008, there were 4 cases of CJD in Tennessee, fewer than the expected number for our population

Roane County CJDRoane County CJD• TDH East Region officials investigated a confirmed case of classic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and a second probable case of CJD in another person in Roane County

• Next-of-kin interviewed to rule out CJD transmission that can rarely occur during medical procedures

• Neither patient had a history of high-risk procedures (corneal transplant, use of human growth hormone)

• No evidence of hospital transmission

• No travel outside the United States

• Final diagnosis for the second patient available in several weeks

Publicity and ConcernsPublicity and Concerns• Local rumors about variant CJD (vCJD)

• vCJD never contracted in the U.S.

• Overseas, has been contracted in people who ate beef products from cattle infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), (“mad cow disease.”)

• Only 3 cases of vCJD ever reported in the United States

• All 3 occurred in people who were born overseas and spent substantial amounts of time in the United Kingdom or the Middle East.

• CEDS director for the East Region, Cathy Goff, was available at the Roane County Health Council meeting on March 24th, to discuss CJD and answer questions.