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Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is reportable within one week. CJD is
listed on the Texas
Notifiable Conditions list as Prion disease such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (CJD).
CDC’s Diagnostic Criteria and DSHS’s
Case Criteria Guide (click on Prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (CJD) in the Table of Contents).
CJD became a notifiable condition in 1998 in Texas. Suspected cases of
CJD should be reported to local health departments by dialing 1-800-705-8868,
or if you know your local health department jurisdiction, you may find contact
information at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/regions/lhds.shtm.
Several Texas laws (Tex. Health & Safety Code, Chapters 81, 84 and
87) require specific information regarding notifiable conditions be provided to
the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Health care
providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and others are required to report
patients who are suspected of having a notifiable condition (25 Tex. Admin. Code §97.2).
In September 1997, the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance
Center (NPDPSC or Prion Center) was established at the Division of
Neuropathology of Case Western Reserve University to, among other functions,
assist clinicians in the diagnosis of prion disease. The NPDPSC assists
clinicians by analyzing cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and brain tissue.
Information about diagnostic services, protocols for various CJD
testing, and specimen submission can be obtained at NPDPSC's website or
by contacting the Prion Center at the Division of Neuropathology, Case Western
Reserve University, 2085 Adelbert Rd Rm 419, Cleveland, OH 44106; Phone: (216)
368-0587; Fax: (216) 368-4090; E-mail: cjdsurveillance@uhhospitals.org
Physicians are strongly encouraged to confirm the diagnosis of CJD by
arranging for an autopsy following the death of the person suspected of having
CJD. This is especially important if the person had an illness onset when less
than 55 years old. Please contact NPDPSC for
assistance with coordinating an autopsy or submission of pathology specimens.