1996

28 March 1996

Disease Outbreak Reported

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)

In the light of the 10 human cases of a new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease reported by the United Kingdom on 20 March 1996, a WHO meeting of international experts in neurology, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, epidemiology, veterinary science and public health is being organized on 2-3 April 1996 to review the present situation and to make further technical and public health recommendations as required. In particular, the meeting will identify those technical and scientific issues which must be addressed in developing best practices that will protect the consumer. WHO recommends that if similar disease is identified in any other countries, the national health authorities should be immediately notified. The conclusions of the meeting will be published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record.