AR-News: Thousands may be harbouring vCJD

[Andrew]

To read the full article please see the BBC news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3729901.stm


Scientists have found evidence to suggest that more people could be
harbouring the human form of BSE than previously thought.

Researchers at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital and the CJD Surveillance Unit
tested 12,674 appendix and tonsil samples - three showed signs of vCJD.

Extrapolating their findings to the whole population, they estimated that
3,800 Britons may harbour the disease.

The findings are published in the Journal of Pathology.

A total of 141 people have died from vCJD in the UK since the disease
emerged in 1995.