Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

HC Deb 17 June 1996 vol 279 cc343-5W

Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of the possible new strain of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are currently under investigation by the CJD surveillance unit at Edinburgh. [32171]

Mr. Horam

All cases of suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease referred to the CJD surveillance unit are investigated. It is impossible to differentiate between new variant and other cases while they are still under investigation.

Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people under 42 years have died of CJD in the last five years; and of those how many had growth hormone treatment. [33181]

Mr. Horam

From 1991 to date the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance unit in Edinburgh have confirmed 20 deaths from CJD of people aged under 42 years, of which 10 had had human growth hormone treatment.