A rare and fatal brain disease known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) has struck three people in Hood River County, Oregon, over the past eight months. CJD is a prion disease that damages brain tissue and is characterized by symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, and muscle stiffness.
The cases were confirmed by autopsy in one instance and are presumptive for the other two, pending further examination of brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid. Health officials have stated that there is currently no identifiable link between these three cases, and the risk of getting CJD remains extremely low.
CJD affects around 1 to 2 people per million worldwide, and the United States sees roughly 350 cases a year. The disease is caused by abnormally folded proteins that damage brain tissue, leading to symptoms such as personality changes, new-onset psychological problems, and seizures. Despite its rarity, CJD can cause significant morbidity and mortality.
An investigation led by the Hood River County Health Department is ongoing, with collaboration from Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The department has emphasized that there is no evidence of infected cattle or any other external source being linked to the cases.
The recent cases in Hood River County are statistically unusual, considering the county’s population of approximately 23,000 people. However, health officials assure the public that CJD does not spread through air, touch, social contact, or water.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/100-percent-fatal-brain-disease-strikes-3-people-in-oregon