New Brunswick Cluster of Neurological Syndrome of Unknown Cause
Cases under investigation 48
Deaths 6*
Illness onset date range in years 2013 – 2021**
Gender 50% female – 50% male
Age range in years 18 – 85
Timeline
Between January 2019 and July 2019, New Brunswick physicians identified a potential cluster of three Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) cases possibly related to cataract surgery.**An investigation conducted by the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance System (CJDSS), in collaboration with Regional Health Authorities in NB, demonstrated that there was no relation between the CJD cases and the surgery.**Through routine case management, the CJDSS noted common symptoms and diagnostic profiles among recent NB referrals that tested negative for CJD and with negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein panels. It became apparent that these atypical referrals represented a second cluster, distinct from the first, that was worth further investigation.In December 2020, the CJDSS contacted Public Health New Brunswick to actively include the department in this investigation.The first draft for the case definition was gathered on January 29, 2021.A memo was drafted regarding this case definition and sent to NB physicians on March 5, 2021 to inform them and encourage any health-care provider with patients that may meet the case definition for this neurological syndrome of unknown cause, to please contact Public Health, the CJDSS or the Mind Clinic at 1-506-857-5569 for more information.
Symptoms
Some symptoms include, but are not limited to:
memory problemsmuscle spasmsbalance issues, difficulty walking or fallsblurred vision or visual hallucinationsunexplained, significant weight lossbehaviour changespain in the upper or lower limbs
What you can do
If you suspect that you, or your loved one, may be experiencing changes in personal health that may be similar to those described above, please speak with a health-care provider.
As the cause of the neurological syndrome is currently unknown, only a health-care provider can assess if the symptoms an individual is experiencing may be related to this NSUC investigation.
What the Government is doing
The Government of New Brunswick is committed to protecting the health of all citizens from new and emerging diseases in the province. The investigation is ongoing and Public Health New Brunswick will continue to investigate, working with the following partners:
New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and FisheriesNew Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy DevelopmentNew Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government.Public Health Agency of CanadaCanadian Food Inspection Agency
As the investigation evolves, this webpage will be updated to provide new information about the ongoing investigation.
Last updated: 2021-05-20
Cases under investigation 48
Deaths 6*
Illness onset date range in years 2013 – 2021**
Gender 50% female – 50% male
Age range in years 18 – 85
Timeline
Between January 2019 and July 2019, New Brunswick physicians identified a potential cluster of three Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) cases possibly related to cataract surgery.**An investigation conducted by the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance System (CJDSS), in collaboration with Regional Health Authorities in NB, demonstrated that there was no relation between the CJD cases and the surgery.**Through routine case management, the CJDSS noted common symptoms and diagnostic profiles among recent NB referrals that tested negative for CJD and with negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein panels. It became apparent that these atypical referrals represented a second cluster, distinct from the first, that was worth further investigation.In December 2020, the CJDSS contacted Public Health New Brunswick to actively include the department in this investigation.The first draft for the case definition was gathered on January 29, 2021.A memo was drafted regarding this case definition and sent to NB physicians on March 5, 2021 to inform them and encourage any health-care provider with patients that may meet the case definition for this neurological syndrome of unknown cause, to please contact Public Health, the CJDSS or the Mind Clinic at 1-506-857-5569 for more information.
Symptoms
Some symptoms include, but are not limited to:
memory problemsmuscle spasmsbalance issues, difficulty walking or fallsblurred vision or visual hallucinationsunexplained, significant weight lossbehaviour changespain in the upper or lower limbs
What you can do
If you suspect that you, or your loved one, may be experiencing changes in personal health that may be similar to those described above, please speak with a health-care provider.
As the cause of the neurological syndrome is currently unknown, only a health-care provider can assess if the symptoms an individual is experiencing may be related to this NSUC investigation.
What the Government is doing
The Government of New Brunswick is committed to protecting the health of all citizens from new and emerging diseases in the province. The investigation is ongoing and Public Health New Brunswick will continue to investigate, working with the following partners:
New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and FisheriesNew Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy DevelopmentNew Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government.Public Health Agency of CanadaCanadian Food Inspection Agency
As the investigation evolves, this webpage will be updated to provide new information about the ongoing investigation.
Last updated: 2021-05-20
最后编辑: 2021-05-23
