03/27/26 Public Health Education Topic: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Per CDC:

What to know

• Classic CJD is an always-fatal, usually fast-moving disease that occurs worldwide.

• It affects the brain and causes dementia and other problems, mostly in older adults.

• There is no treatment or cure.

  
  

Types:

There are three main types of CJD infection:

Sporadic

The vast majority of all CJD cases reported (about 85%) are called sporadic. These types of cases occur when prion proteins already in the body misfold for reasons that aren't fully understood. This breaks down the brain's functions.

Familial

About 5-15% of CJD cases occur because the person has inherited a mutation in the prion protein gene. A person with CJD with a parent, sibling, or child who also has the disease likely has "familial CJD."

Iatrogenic

Iatrogenic cases are caused by contact with prions in a healthcare setting or from biological products. There have been 6 known CJD cases caused by surgical or medical equipment contaminated with prions from another patient with the disease. This has not been reported since 1976 due to changes in procedures to decontaminate the equipment.

People who received prion-contaminated human growth hormone before 1978 may also develop iatrogenic CJD. Even 50 years later, cases are still being identified.

Finally, cases have occurred in people who received dura mater (a membrane in the brain and spinal cord) grafts and corneal (eye) transplants. If the donor had CJD that was not found before the donation, recipients can get CJD.

How it affects your body

People with CJD suffer from dementia. Other symptoms may include trouble walking, sudden jerky movements, and visual disturbances. CJD patients usually die within 1 year after symptoms start.

Treatment

There is unfortunately no therapy that will slow or stop the disease from getting worse. Treatment involves supportive care to make the patient more comfortable.

To learn more please visit: Classic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease | Classic CJD | CDC