Two Confirmed Deaths from CJD in Oregon

Health officials in Hood River County, Oregon, have reported three cases of the rare and fatal brain disorder Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) within the past eight months, with two confirmed deaths. One case was confirmed via autopsy, while the other two are presumptive diagnoses pending further testing, which can take months. CJD is caused by prions, infectious proteins that lead to rapid dementia, movement disorders, and behavioral changes, and is incurable and universally fatal. The disease is usually sporadic, with about 85% of cases having no clear cause, although some are hereditary or linked to exposure to infected tissue. Health officials, including Trish Elliott from the Hood River County Health Department, are investigating potential common risk factors but have not found a link between these cases and infected cattle. Despite these cases, the risk to the general public remains extremely low, and local doctors have been alerted to watch for symptoms.