The retired research technician from INRAE, the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment died in early November of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
She was at the retirement, but before that she had worked for the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Inrae) which has a joint research unit with theToulouse National Veterinary School (ENVT) who employed him.
This research technician is passed away on November 4 last, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, one of the prion diseases commonly referred to as “mad cow disease”, as reported The world.
She had worked on prions during her career. According to the first elements, it is possible that this woman cut when handling prions between 2004 and 2005, as reported France 3.
Investigations and suspension of research on prions
When this “probable” case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob was revealed on July 27, all the work research and experimentation relating to prion diseases in France have been suspended for three months, as a precaution.
Since the death, a internal investigation in the laboratory is carried out to determine the working conditions and possible sources of exposure of this agent.
The period of suspension of prion research was also extended until the end of the year.
The moratorium is motivated by the knowledge of a new probable case of a person suffering from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and having worked in an Inrae-veterinary school research laboratory in Toulouse on prions. https://t.co/u5Sm4CYOxK
– Veterinary Dispatch (@LaDepecheVeto) November 25, 2021
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An external inspection mission, commissioned by the ministries, was carried out on November 8 and 9 in Toulouse in the laboratory. A report should be submitted on the risks within a few weeks.
Around 150 cases per year
This report – who is not the first to ask about risks – should also reassess all security measures. In 2019, an assistant had already died of this disease.
On dénombre Around 150 cases per year, in France, having the effect of fatal degeneration of the central nervous system.
The disease can develop years after ingestion of meat contaminated with the agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
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