New development could cut CJD risk

A detergent wash has been developed that reduces the possibility of brain disease CJD being transmitted during operations, scientists say. As the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk reports, researchers at the University College London http://www.ucl.ac.uk say it could be available in hospitals by the end of the year. Concern had previously been voiced that the proteins thought to cause CJD are not destroyed by routine sterilisation. It is believed that when people unknowingly harbouring CJD have surgery, it could be passed on to others via instruments.