Hong Kong CHP closely monitors a probable case of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
6 December 2012
HONG KONG CHP closely monitors a probable case of sporadic
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today
(December 6) received a report from the health authority of Macao concerning a
probable case of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) affecting a
51-year-old female Macao resident who had undergone a brain operation in a
private hospital in Hong Kong.
According to the health authority of Macao, the woman who developed
progressive dementia with limbs spasm, unstable gait, muscle twitching and
visual disturbance suggestive of CJD, has been admitted to a hospital in Macao
on October 30. Her clinical diagnosis was sporadic CJD and the patient is now in
severe condition.
Investigation by the Macao health authority revealed that the woman had
received a brain surgery in a private hospital in Hong Kong on September
19.
Upon receipt of the report, the CHP acted in accordance with the
international practice and advised the hospital to contact the patients who had
undergone procedures using the same set of instruments as the patient since
September 19.
According to the current understanding, the transmission risk is extremely
low. The contact tracing is a precautionary measure.
A CHP spokesman said, "CJD is a rare disease that affects the brain and is
thought to be caused by the build-up of an abnormal, transmissible protein
called 'prion' in the brain."
The spokesman said surgical instruments used on the patient should have
been sterilised but may not be enough to eradicate the prions which are the
causing agents of the disease. Contact tracing conducted by the hospital is
under way.
The clinical feature of CJD is characterised by dementia and difficulties
in walking. Early symptoms include memory loss, unsteady gait and loss of
co-ordination of limbs. These dementia-like symptoms will worsen and twitching
of limbs and trunk will occur. Besides, visual disturbance, abnormal behaviour
and seizures can occur. Most patients die within one to two years after onset of
symptoms.
Since CJD is not transmitted through casual contact, isolation of patients
is not necessary. To prevent the disease from spreading, tissue or organ
transplant from any CJD patients or re-use of potentially contaminated surgical
instruments should be avoided.
Ends/Thursday, December 6, 2012
Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases
Epidemiology of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in Hong Kong
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
11 patients may have been exposed to fatal disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob
Disease CJD Greenville Memorial Hospital
Thursday, August 02, 2012
CJD case in Saint John prompts letter to patients Canada
CJD case in Saint John prompts letter to patients
Friday, August 24, 2012
Iatrogenic prion diseases in humans: an update
Friday, November 23, 2012
sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease update As at 5th November 2012 UK, USA,
AND CANADA
Sunday, December 2, 2012
CANADA 19 cases of mad cow disease SCENARIO 4: ‘WE HAD OUR CHANCE AND WE
BLEW IT’
TSS
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
11:03 AM
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