Suspected case of vCJD in Dublin hospital: health minister

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2005

DUBLIN (AFP) — A patient in a Dublin hospital is suspected to be suffering from variant CJD, the human form of mad cow disease, Health Minister Mary Harney said.

Harney, who is also deputy prime minister, said in a statement the "probable case" was awaiting confirmation.

"She has been assured that every possible safeguard and preventative measure had been taken by the relevant agencies, the hospital management and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service," the statement said.

The statement appealed to the news media "not to identify the hospital and to respect the privacy of the family at this very difficult time."

Last November, a young Irishman was diagnosed with the fatal degenerative brain disease that can be transmitted through blood and infected...