Suspected Case of CJD from South West District Health Authority
HEALTH--Suspected Case of CJD from South West District Health Authority
Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jeff Scott, has announced that a patient from the South West District Health Authority is being investigated by a specialist at Capital Health for a suspected case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). Dr. Scott made the announcement today, May 1, with the consent of the family involved.
Dr. Scott said there is no connection between this case and the case reported earlier this week at Capital Health, nor is there any connection with the 26 patients involved in the Capital Health case.
He said neither of these cases occurred because of eating contaminated beef and there is no concern about the food supply.
"From time to time, medical specialists suspect CJD and start to investigate for this disease. Almost always, these cases are negative," he said. "We felt it necessary to publicize this investigation at this time to dispel rumors in South West District Health Authority."
A review of the individual's history indicated that the patient underwent a gastroscopy in late March at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. In light of the possibility of a CJD diagnosis, the gastroscope, a flexible tube that is used to inspect and biopsy the esophagus and stomach lining, is now quarantined.
Dr. Lynn Johnston, hospital epidemiologist and infection control specialist with Capital Health, is working with the South West District Health Authority on this case. "Removing this instrument is strictly a precaution", she said. "It's important to know that high-risk tissues were not involved in this procedure. We will continue to investigate, work with Health Canada and continue to follow their guidelines."
However, in order to dispel concerns in the community, South West Health has decided to contact patients. "We are in the process of contacting 33 patients who had a procedure with the same gastroscope to reassure them that the risk to them is extremely low. In doing so, we are exceeding Health Canada guidelines until we have more information", said Blaise MacNeil, CEO, South West Health. "There is no evidence of CJD transmission through this type of procedure, in fact, the scope would have been in contact with tissues that are deemed low risk by Health Canada. We may be able to determine in the next few days, when we have had a chance to gather more information, that the endoscopy poses no threat whatsoever."
Dr. Scott added this case will be considered in the review concerning the CJD case announced earlier this week. The review is being led by his office in conjunction with Health Canada and Capital Health. Dr. Scott thanked South West Health for its prompt response to this case.
There are no other suspected cases of CJD from Nova Scotia currently being investigated at Health Canada.
Dr. Scott personally thanked the family for giving consent in this situation. No further details will be released about this patient.