§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease there are currently diagnosed in the United Kingdom; and what representations she has received regarding the link with pre-1985 infertility treatment.
§ Mr. SackvilleOne hundred and fifty nine definite or probable cases of Creutzfeldt-jacob disease in the United Kingdom have been reported to the CJD surveillance unit, Edinburgh over the four-year period May 1990 to April 1994. No cases have been reported where there is a link with infertility treatment.
On 1 September 1993 the Department established a helpline for women who had been treated for infertility with human derived pituitary gonadotrophin—a treatment no longer given, but which may be associated with the risk of developing CJD. Since 1 September 1993 we have received 15 letters on the subject from hon. Members on behalf of their constituents.