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21/09/2004
NI patients being contacted over vCJD risk
A small number of people in Northern Ireland are to be contacted about the possibility that they may have an increased risk of developing the human form of CJD.
A number of patients have been written to, informing them that, because they have received certain batches of plasma products in the past, they are potentially at a small increased risk of infection with the vCJD agent.
It is part of a UK-wide patient notification exercise announced by the Department of Health in Whitehall which relates to the possible transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) through blood products, announced by Health Secretary, John Reid, last week.
The advice is highly precautionary and is based on recommendations made by the expert vCJD Incidents Panel.
Patients (and their healthcare professionals) are being advised that they have, in the past, received batches of plasma products which were derived from blood donated from someone who has later gone on to develop vCJD. As a precautionary measure, a number of steps should be taken to reduce any possible onward patient-to-patient transmission of vCJD.
Commenting on the further precautionary measures the Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell, said: “Every possible precautionary measure is being taken to protect patient safety and ensure the safety of blood. A small number of people have been identified by this exercise and may be exposed to a very low risk of vCJD. I would stress that even if someone is identified as ‘at-risk’, it does not mean that they will develop vCJD.
“The thousands of people who have received a blood transfusion are not affected and have no cause for concern. It is relevant only to people who may have been treated with certain batches of some products made from plasma sourced from the UK. This small group of people are being informed.
“In Northern Ireland, there are about 370 people who suffer from bleeding disorders. Only a small number will have received implicated plasma products. Likewise, of the 94 people with primary immunodeficiency disorders few, if any, will have received the implicated products."
Any member of the public who has general concerns should contact the DHSSPS regional helpline on 028 9076 5725.
(MB/GMCG)
A number of patients have been written to, informing them that, because they have received certain batches of plasma products in the past, they are potentially at a small increased risk of infection with the vCJD agent.
It is part of a UK-wide patient notification exercise announced by the Department of Health in Whitehall which relates to the possible transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) through blood products, announced by Health Secretary, John Reid, last week.
The advice is highly precautionary and is based on recommendations made by the expert vCJD Incidents Panel.
Patients (and their healthcare professionals) are being advised that they have, in the past, received batches of plasma products which were derived from blood donated from someone who has later gone on to develop vCJD. As a precautionary measure, a number of steps should be taken to reduce any possible onward patient-to-patient transmission of vCJD.
Commenting on the further precautionary measures the Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell, said: “Every possible precautionary measure is being taken to protect patient safety and ensure the safety of blood. A small number of people have been identified by this exercise and may be exposed to a very low risk of vCJD. I would stress that even if someone is identified as ‘at-risk’, it does not mean that they will develop vCJD.
“The thousands of people who have received a blood transfusion are not affected and have no cause for concern. It is relevant only to people who may have been treated with certain batches of some products made from plasma sourced from the UK. This small group of people are being informed.
“In Northern Ireland, there are about 370 people who suffer from bleeding disorders. Only a small number will have received implicated plasma products. Likewise, of the 94 people with primary immunodeficiency disorders few, if any, will have received the implicated products."
Any member of the public who has general concerns should contact the DHSSPS regional helpline on 028 9076 5725.
(MB/GMCG)
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