21/01/2002

Concerns raised over potential new case of vCJD

A potential second case of new variant CJD - the human form of “mad cow disease” - has been reportedly diagnosed in Northern Ireland.

It is understood the man who has contracted the disease is in a stable condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital. A spokesperson for the RVH said that the case cannot be confirmed due to patient-doctor confidentiality.

The news became public from a BBC interview with consultant neurologist at the hospital, Dr Tom Esmond, who moved to assure the public that the case “did not represent the tip of an iceberg”.

Northern Ireland’s first victim of new variant CJD, Maurice Callaghan, died in 1995. Since then, his widow, Clare, has campaigned for a care package for the families of sufferers.

Doctors often cannot be sure that a person has vCJD until a post-mortem examination has been carried out. (AMcE)

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