Rare brain disease with symptoms like dementia claims two lives in Oregon County-Signs to see (image credit: istock)
In a small community in North Oregon, health authorities have reported three cases of a rare and deadly brain disorder, known as Crautzafult-Job Disease (CJD). Two people have died, causing local health authorities to issue alert to health officials to be vigilant to be vigilant.
What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare and degenerative brain condition that causes symptoms such as rapid cognitive decline, memory loss and dementia. According to the CDC, only 350 cases have been reported in the US each year about 350 cases, causing it a very rare disease. Unfortunately, the CJD is almost always fatal – most patient symptoms die within a few months of the onset.
The disease is caused by pioneer, which are abnormal proteins that attack and destroy healthy brain tissue. Over time, these Prions make holes such as sponges in the brain, which severely affect mental and physical abilities.
Case in oregan
All three reported cases are from Hood River County, a small area in North Oregon, which has a population of about 24,000. Two persons have died, and a person suspects that the suspicion of the disease is still alive.
One case is confirmed by the Autopsy, and the other is strongly considered CJD. Samples of brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid are being tested to confirm the diagnosis. These are the only reliable ways to detect the disease, and yet, confirmation is usually possible only after death.
Director of Hood River County Health Department, Dr. “We are trying to look at any general risk factors that can add these cases … but in some cases it is very difficult what the real reason is.”
Health officers are having confidential identity and details of patients and have not indicated that individuals are related or in shared places.
Is there any risk to the public?
Experts say that the risk for the general public is extremely low. CJD does not spread from person to person under specific circumstances. However, it can be transmitted through meat from cows infected with crazy cow’s disease, in rare cases, or, even in rare cases – a separate pioneering disorder.
However, cases in Oregon are not related to beef consumption, according to health officials.
Different types and causes of CJD
There are three main types of CJD:
Sporadic CJD – This is the most common form, making 85 percent cases. This happens randomly without a known reason.
Genetic CJD- About 10–14 percent of cases are caused by inherited mutations in the prnp gene, which produces the prinning protein.
Acquired CJD – In less than 1 percent of cases, there is a result of exposure to infected medical procedures or contacts through contaminated food.
CJD usually affects its 50 or older adults, but young people can also develop it. In a rare case, a 22 -year -old college student developed deteriorating dementia and psychiatric symptoms, including wreath, anxiety, hallucinations and obsessive behavior. He died seven months later, and a postmortem examination confirmed the CJD.
Initial warning signal
CJD can be difficult to find out early because symptoms often mimic mental health or other neurological conditions. General early signs include:
Mood
Depression or anxiety
Memory loss
Confusion
Difficulty speaking or walking
As the disease increases, it can lead to severe mental decline, inability to speak or food and loss of bladder control.
What is being done in Oregon?
While there is no cure for CJD, Hood River County Health Officer is working closely with the state pathologist to investigate recent cases. He has issued an advice for local health providers, asking them to consider CJD when diagnosing patients with sudden or severe dementia.
For now, the Health Authority emphasizes that these cases are isolated and do not suggest extensive public health threats. They continue to monitor the situation and encourage awareness among healthcare professionals.
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