§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what surveys have been conducted on the health of health care workers who have tended CJD patients. [36938]
§ Mr. HoramNo such surveys have been conducted. The national Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance unit investigates the incidence and epidemiology of CJD, paying particular attention to occupation and eating habits so that any change in the pattern of CJD following the advent of BSE can be detected. This includes details of a patients' occupation and the latest results are published in the unit's fourth annual report, copies of which are available in the Library, and do not show any evidence of an occupational link.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's definition of a highly suspect case of CJC. [36939]
§ Mr. HoramThe term "highly suspect case" is not used in respect of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This disease can be definitely confirmed only by electron microscope examination of brain tissue. This is usually done post mortem although rarely it may be possible to establish a definite diagnosis by brain biopsy while the patient is still alive. In other cases CJC can be no more than a possibility, greater or lesser according to the number and degree of clinical features a patient exhibits.