First case of vCJD found in a haemophiliac

We are sad, but perhaps not surprised, to hear that infection with vCJD (the human form of BSE) has been found at post-mortem in a haemophiliac who died of other causes.

It is thought that the infection came from plasma products received from 1980 - 2001.

Haemophiliacs as a group have been worried about vCJD exposure for some years. They were warned in around 2002 that there was a theoretical risk from blood products made from the blood of donors who later went on to develop vCJD.

Whilst we hope this will never happen, if anyone in this group did develop vCJD, it is likely that claims would be covered by the vCJD Trust. This was set up following Irwin Mitchell's negotiation of a compensation scheme with the government, after we represented the families at the BSE Inquiry. Claims have already been accepted where vCJD appears to have been passed by blood transfusion.

A centralised care package was also set up following calls by the families at the BSE Inquiry - this is run from the National CJD Surveillance Unit in Edinburgh, and covers all types of CJD.

We also hope that progress with be made with tests for CJD, and the so far experimental treatment of CJD with 'pps' (pentosan polysulphate).

Very sadly, we also continue to see cases of Human growth hormone (Hgh) related CJD. Whilst separate from cases of vCJD, the Department of Health confirmed if would compensate any after occurring cases of Hgh/CJD which fell within the terms of the successful Hgh/CJD Litigation, which we ran in the mid 1990s.