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CJD

CJD is a fatal brain disease first classified in the 1920s. In 1996, doctors reported a variant of the disease, vCJD. Research since suggests that vCJD is the result of exposure to the agent that causes Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. This section of the site contains guidance on CJD in general, investigations into vCJD and the possible CJD link, and information about the work of the Department of Health's CJD policy unit.

Chief Medical Officer's feature article

This feature covers key issues and concerns about Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and the related Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known at the time of its discovery as "mad cow disease". It provides background information about the possible cause and extent of this fatal brain disease, and links to other sources of information.

CJD publications and statistics

CJD publications

Key DH-published guidance documents, consultations and monthly statistics on CJD.

Monthly CJD statistics

Monthly statistics are no longer issued by the Department but will continue to be available on the:

CJD useful links

Links to websites containing information about CJD NB: The Department of Health is not responsible for the content of external sites

Additional links

Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC)

Provides independent expert scientific advice to the Government on spongiform encephalopathies such as BSE, CJD and scrapie. SEAC's remit is wide-ranging, and covers public health, food safety and animal health issues.

Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens

Advises the Health and Safety Commission, the HSE, ministers and their counterparts under dvolution on all aspects of hazards and rsisk to workers and others from exposure to pathogens.

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