Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and Korean Neurological Association Symposium on Transmission Management of 'Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the 28th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) held a joint symposium with the Korean Neurological Association on the theme of 'CJD Transmission Management Measures' for the systematic prevention and management of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).

CJD is a Class 3 legally designated infectious disease with an incubation period ranging from several years to decades, characterized by rapidly progressing cognitive impairment and neurological symptoms once symptoms appear, making it a highly severe infectious disease. CJD is classified into sporadic, genetic, and iatrogenic types. Variant CJD (vCJD), commonly known as 'human mad cow disease,' has a similar name but differs clinically, epidemiologically, and pathologically, and is classified as a separate disease. To date, there have been no cases of mad cow disease or vCJD reported in Korea.

As of 2021, a total of 67 cases of CJD were reported. The numbers have shown a slight increase over recent years: 38 cases in 2017 → 54 in 2018 → 53 in 2019 → 64 in 2020 → 67 in 2021.

In 2021, sporadic CJD (sCJD), which occurs without any specific cause, accounted for 57 cases (85%), making up the majority, while genetic CJD (gCJD) accounted for 10 cases (15%). There have been no domestic cases of iatrogenic CJD (iCJD), which is transmitted through medical procedures such as infected tissue or corneal transplants, since 2012. Patients diagnosed with CJD are eligible for medical expense support under the 'Rare Disease Patient Medical Expense Support Project' criteria.

At the symposium, presentations on ▲ sharing domestic CJD cases ▲ analysis status of domestic and international genetic CJD ▲ CJD autopsy and diagnosis ▲ CJD surveillance system were made, and in-depth discussions were held on the necessity of preventive management in medical institutions to block secondary transmission, the need for autopsy of CJD patients and the role of autopsy centers, and measures to strengthen the CJD surveillance system.

Jiyoungmi, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "As we prepare to strengthen surveillance and prevention of CJD, we ask for the medical community's cooperation for early establishment." Kim Jaemoon, Director of the Korean Neurological Association, said, "The KDCA has made efforts in guidance, surveillance, and support regarding CJD, and through this symposium, we expect that appropriate diagnosis and treatment can be provided by neurologists in the medical field."