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NO mad
cow disease cases in Illinois
Cases of
human brain-wasting disease often confused and misreported as BSE,
more commonly referred to as mad cow disease
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[August 22, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Department of Public
Health officials reported Tuesday that there are no confirmed or
suspected cases of a type of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Illinois,
commonly referred to as human mad cow disease. CJD is a rare, fatal
brain disorder that causes mental deterioration and a variety of
neurological symptoms. It usually leads to death within a year of
onset.
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There are various forms of CJD. In approximately 85 percent of CJD
cases, the cause is unknown. These cases are referred to as sporadic
CJD. Another form, called variant CJD, linked to the consumption of
beef contaminated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE, has
not been identified in Illinois. Other forms include genetic and
acquired CJD. There is approximately one CJD case per 1 million
people. Contact between people does not present a risk of
transmission of any form CJD. The disease is not spread through the
air or by touching someone with CJD. All forms are fatal. Due to
rules governing patient confidentiality in Illinois, the Department
of Public Health cannot comment on the medical condition of any
patient. However, based on investigations of reports received from
local health departments, physicians, hospitals, coroners and
medical examiners, the department confirms there are no suspected or
confirmed cases of variant CJD in Illinois.
Diagnosis of different forms of CJD, including variant CJD, is
based on patient history, clinical exam and lab tests.
For more information, please visit
http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbcjdhlb.htm.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health news release]
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