Deadly, Rare Brain Disease Prompts Warning

A rare, degenerative brain disease is the suspected cause of death in a New Hampshire surgical patient. Now, there’s concern other patients may have been exposed.

FOX News Radio’s Lisa Brady reports:

Public health officials in New Hampshire say a patient who had brain surgery in May and died in August, is believed to have had the rare and fatal Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. In this case, the sporadic variety, which occurs spontaneously with no known cause, and not the kind also known as Mad Cow Disease. The standard sterilization process for surgical equipment, doesn’t eliminate the possible spread. And, some surgical equipment was rented. So, Catholic Medical Center in Manchester is alerting up to 13 patients in several states, they may have been exposed. Though they’re calling the risk extremely low.

Lisa Brady, FOX News Radio.

Editor’s Note: New Hampshire officials are awaiting autopsy results to confirm the suspected case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Click HERE to for more about this story from MyFoxBoston.com