Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Killed Kansas Man Who Died In January
A suspected victim of Mad Cow Disease has been identified and his death by Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease confirmed.
Milton Eugene Rebarchek of Monument, Kansas died in January and now the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center confirms he died of C-J, which is related to Mad Cow Disease, and turns the brain tissue spongy.
Mr. Rebarchek's identity and National Prion's findings were made public by his brother, Frank Rebarchek of Scott City, Kansas. The victim worked in a packing plant 15 or 20 years ago, according to the brother.
Where the victim was exposed remains unkown. The incubation period for C-J disease can run to decades and the diagnosis requires testing brain tissue. It is always fatal.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob can come from blood transfusions and can be hereditary in very rare cases. On average, 250 to 300 cases are reported in the United States
