Vol. 487 No. 4
149 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of known cases of the various forms of CJD, including nv CJD; the plans, if any, he has to provide information and support to families of sufferers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4306/98]
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a very rare disease with an incidence of approximately one per million. Ireland has an incidence of the disease in the order of one to three cases per year, although in some years no cases have been recorded. In 1997 three cases of classical Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were notified to my Department. No cases of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have been notified.
My Department has from time to time issued statements on the matter which are considered appropriate against the background of the low incidence of the disease. An active surveillance system is in place, which monitors and follows up on suspected cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, including the provision of counselling on an individual basis. This is in addition to the full range of normal clinical services available to any patient suffering from an infectious disease.
The Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Advisory Group, was established in 1996 to advise the Minister for Health on Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease related matters including its surveillance, research strategies and international developments generally in this area. The group meets regularly to monitor the situation both in Ireland and internationally. The group is comprised of experts in relevant disciplines such as neurology, neuropathology, public health, veterinary medicine and microbiology.
