Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 20 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 27 March 2009. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Friday, 27 March 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

CJD: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will consider the introduction of a blood screening test for blood donors in place of blood filtering; and if he will make a statement;

Answer: At present, there is no validated test for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) on the market although the technology is under development. The expert Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs will assess options for further vCJD risk reduction measures, including prion filtration technology and screening tests, as further information becomes available, and will advise on their use. If a suitable vCJD blood screening test becomes available, the offer of such a test to individuals will be for agreement between the individual and their clinician.The Department will consider the use of validated tests for ascertaining the population prevalence of vCJD as they become available.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 490 c756-7W;490 c752-3W; 266420
Session: 2008-09
Related items: CJD: Screening
Monday, 20 April 2009
Written questions
House of Commons; CJD: Screening
Monday, 20 April 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Screening CJD
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk