Scientist study youngest CJD link
9 March 2000
Scientist study youngest CJD link
SCIENTISTS are investigating the death of a 15-year-old girl who is believed to be the youngest confirmed victim of the human form of BSE.
Claire McVey, from Ilfracombe, North Devon, died in January from suspected new variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease which is linked to the consumption of BSE-infected beef.
She may have contracted the disease when she was a toddler.
An inquest into her death has been opened and adjourned pending scientific investigation of tissue samples.
The CJD surveillance unit in Edinburgh has been notified of her death.
Since nvCJD was identified in 1992 there have been 52 deaths from the disease in Britain.
The average age of victims is 29.
Meanwhile, The Express has reacted to claims from scientists that European governments have wildly underestimated their numbers of BSE cases.
It complains of the “stench of hypocrisy” from France and Germany which still refuse imports of British beef, and questions whether their beef should be banned in Britain.
- Europe-wide BSE suspected , FWi, 8 March, 2000
- The Express 09/03/2000 page 4
- The Daily Mail 09/03/2000 page 12 and page 17
- The Daily Telegraph 09/03/2000 page 1
- The Times 09/03/2000 page 12