Orava region experiences unusually high rates of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

The Orava region in northern Slovakia, including districts such as Námestovo, Dolný Kubín, and Tvrdošín, has reported a significantly higher incidence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) compared to global averages. While international statistics typically cite one case per million people, medical professionals in this region have diagnosed dozens of cases over several decades.

Research suggests that a high proportion of cases in Slovakia are genetic, with certain forms of the disease accounting for 65 to 75 percent of cases, compared to a global average of 10 to 15 percent. One theory investigated by experts involves the historical consumption of sheep brains and eyes by residents in isolated villages, potentially linked to scrapie, a similar prion disease found in livestock.

To better understand the spread and causes, medical experts have initiated research involving mass sample collection from local residents. Dr. Katarína Tabačáková is leading efforts to map the disease, noting the personal and community impact of the condition in the region.