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21/09/2004
Transfusion patients warned of increased vCJD risk
Six thousand former NHS patients who have received blood plasma products will be told this week if they have an increased risk of developing the human form of CJD.
The patients, who largely suffer from haemophilia and other bleeding disorders, will receive letters this week. The number who may be affected directly is estimated to be around 4,000 people.
A small group of people suffering from primary immunodeficiency, estimated to number around 50 people, may also be affected.
Selected patients have been told that, because they have received certain batches of plasma products in the past, they could be at a "small increased risk" of carrying the vCJD agent.
Although any additional risk to these people "is likely to be very small", it is necessary for those affected to take some simple steps to minimise any chance of passing on the infection.
The health department warned that the move was "highly precautionary" and is based on recommendations made by the expert CJD Incidents Panel.
The precautionary moves were brought in after two instances of vCJD, suspected to have been passed on by blood transfusion, were detected over the past 10 months.
The notification exercise, which relates to the possible transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease through blood products, was announced by Health Secretary John Reid on September 9.
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "Throughout our handling of the issue of vCJD we have adopted a highly precautionary approach, taking a series of steps as new evidence became available to maximise the protection of the public.
"This risk assessment continues this approach and identifies three groups of patients who need to know that they may be at a small increased risk of developing vCJD than the rest of the population who ate beef during the 1980s and 1990s.
"This information will enable these people and their doctors to take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of onward transmission of vCJD."
Anyone who wishes to can contact a dedicated NHS Direct helpline on 0845 850 9850.
(gmcg/mb)
The patients, who largely suffer from haemophilia and other bleeding disorders, will receive letters this week. The number who may be affected directly is estimated to be around 4,000 people.
A small group of people suffering from primary immunodeficiency, estimated to number around 50 people, may also be affected.
Selected patients have been told that, because they have received certain batches of plasma products in the past, they could be at a "small increased risk" of carrying the vCJD agent.
Although any additional risk to these people "is likely to be very small", it is necessary for those affected to take some simple steps to minimise any chance of passing on the infection.
The health department warned that the move was "highly precautionary" and is based on recommendations made by the expert CJD Incidents Panel.
The precautionary moves were brought in after two instances of vCJD, suspected to have been passed on by blood transfusion, were detected over the past 10 months.
The notification exercise, which relates to the possible transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease through blood products, was announced by Health Secretary John Reid on September 9.
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "Throughout our handling of the issue of vCJD we have adopted a highly precautionary approach, taking a series of steps as new evidence became available to maximise the protection of the public.
"This risk assessment continues this approach and identifies three groups of patients who need to know that they may be at a small increased risk of developing vCJD than the rest of the population who ate beef during the 1980s and 1990s.
"This information will enable these people and their doctors to take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of onward transmission of vCJD."
Anyone who wishes to can contact a dedicated NHS Direct helpline on 0845 850 9850.
(gmcg/mb)
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