British Tourist Has Suspected Mad Cow Disease In Hong Kong

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Main Category: CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease
Article Date: 30 Aug 2006 - 8:00 PDT

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A 23-year-old British tourist of Chinese origin has been hospitalized in Hong Kong with suspected vCJD, the human version of mad cow disease, say authorities. The man is at the Prince of Wales Hospital - the hospital has adopted infection control measures. He is said to be in a 'critical condition'.

Doctors say he had intestinal surgery.

Tests do not seem to confirm or rule out vCJD. Authorities said the results were 'inconclusive'. However, he appears to have the clinical features suggesting vCJD. They are trying to find out where the man had been in the UK before flying to Hong Kong as they do not believe he caught the disease locally.

The man arrived in Hong Kong in April 2006 and developed dizziness - he became mentally deranged and showed other psychiatric symptoms.

His relatives say he has never had a blood transfusion, surgery, or donated blood.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today