In 1998, following the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob’s disease (CJD) crisis that mainly affected the UK, Belgium initiated a CJD surveillance system, coordinated by Sciensano. This surveillance system includes all 4 forms of CJD.
Coordinating the surveillance system
Sciensano’s service Epidemiology of infectious diseases coordinates the Belgian CJD surveillance system. Seven academic centres of neurology/neuropathology are appointed as CJD reference centres. Sciensano collects their data on probable and confirmed cases of CJD, as well as data on autopsies that were performed because of the suspicion of CJD.
Describing Belgian CJD cases
Collecting the information on CJD cases occurring in Belgium, allows Sciensano to describe the cases and to analyse certain risk factors.
Monitoring trends in number of CJD cases
By monitoring the trend in the number of cases of CJD, Sciensano can detect unusual increases which could be an signal for the emergence of a new prion disease or for a new mode of transmission of a known CJD form.