2 dead from rare mad cow-like brain disease in Oregon, county health officials say
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Two people in Oregon have died from a rare, progressive brain disorder similar to "mad cow disease" that leads to dementia and is %100 fatal.
The Hood River County Health Department confirmed the deaths on April 14 and said over the last eight months, there have been one confirmed and two probable cases of the illness, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Of the three cases, two have died, the department added.
According to the health department, at this time, "there is no identifiable link" between the three cases. The risk of contracting the disease is "extremely low" due to it not being spread through the air, touch, social contact or water.
An investigation into the confirmed cases is ongoing, the health department said, adding that it will continue to monitor the situation to ensure there is no risk to public health.
What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a serious brain disorder caused by a misfolded protein called a prion, which is found in the brain and nerve cells.
In the United States, there are about 500 new cases of the disease in humans per year, according to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation.
The disease can occur in different ways, with most happening without a known reason, the health department said. It can also be inherited by family members, and in "very rare cases," it can be spread through certain medical exposures to infected brain or nervous tissue, or by eating infected beef.
What are the symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?
According to the health department, symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease include changes in memory, walking, coordination, speech, and behavior.
Mayo Clinic said other symptoms of the disease are insomnia, blurry vision or blindness, and trouble swallowing.
Death from Creutzfeldt-Jakob occurs within a year, according to the Mayo Clinic, adding that people with the illness typically die of medical issues associated with the disease. The issues can include trouble swallowing, falls, heart issues, lung failure, pneumonia or other infections.
The disease is extremely rare, with only 1 person per million diagnosed worldwide each year.
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