Three cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease have been reported in Hood River County, Oregon, over the past eight months. Two people have died from the disease, while one case remains under investigation.
Health officials say the risk to the public is “extremely low” and are monitoring the situation closely. The only way to confirm the disease is through brain and spinal fluid tests after death, which can take months to establish.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a rare and incurable condition caused by infectious proteins called prions. It causes rapidly intensifying symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s, including movement disorders and behavioral changes. There is no treatment or cure for the disease, which typically occurs 12 months after infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that approximately 500-600 new cases occur in the US each year, mostly linked to genetic mutations. The disease cannot be spread through casual contact, but can be transmitted through organ transplants or exposure to infected tissue.
Health officials have ruled out any connection between the Hood River cases and infected cattle, which are associated with a rare variant of the disease.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/creutzfeldtjakob-disease-oregon-symptoms-b2733073.html