The disease attacked people who were much younger than the normal victims of CJD and produced distinct symptoms and changes in the brain. The figure rose to 16 by the end of January this year and then remained stable, just one more case being added in April. Then in May two more cases came to light, followed by a further two over the next two months. But two more cases, not included in the official update, have recently attracted publicity. By John von Radowitz, Medical Correspondent, PA News A panel of experts is to track the new variant of CJD, the brain disease thought to be caused by eating BSE-infected beef.
Victims display symptoms of dementia, becoming unsteady, confused and losing their memory.
Death normally occurs about six months after onset. Last year 10 cases of a new strain of CJD were discovered and set alarm bells ringing. Since then experts have become more and more convinced that this is the case. Two further cases have come to light but are not yet included in the official figures. Since it emerged, scientists and consumers have been haunted by the thought that it could be transmitted to humans.