Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)

Report within 24 hours of Diagnosis to the Local Health Department.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal disease that affects the nervous system. This disease is sometimes called a “spongiform” disease because the brain develops holes in it like a sponge. The cause of CJD is believed to be a prion, an abnormal protein that can occur in nervous system tissue. It can be sporadic (no known cause), familial (from a family member), or from contact with contaminated neurosurgical equipment (iatrogenic). Symptoms may include behavior changes, confusion, memory problems, stiff muscles, loss of feeling in arms, legs or face, loss of balance, difficulty walking, muscle spasms.

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Last Reviewed: 12/18/2018