Re: [Fwd: CJD Reportable? - Utah meeting]

[Guest guest]

Mel-

Thanks for the additional information regarding the reportability status of

CJD in the US. It does make sense that the CDC would start back-pedaling in

order to undermine the value of our petition.

Regarding the McEwen case, has anyone asked whether or not strain-typing will

be available (either in the US or more possibly in Europe) to determine how

McEwen contracted CJD? I believe that I read several months ago that there

were studies being conducted (maybe in Germany?) to test diseased brain tissue

in order to ascertain what the infectious agent was. There should be a way to

do this since they have been able to trace BSE to humans.

I am concerned that the US government will be quick to blame CWD for McEwen's

CJD so they can avoid the issue -- it would be very easy to blame a wild

animal since there are no special interest groups involved. I know that there

is the issue of damaging the tourist/hunter trade in a few states, but I

believe that government will gladly sacrifrice a few states' tourist business

to avoid the possibility of causing panic about food safety.

Beverly G.