In the absence of specific therapies for human prion diseases, which are frequently associated with neurodegenerative disorders with fatal outcome, only an active surveillance can be used to monitor and prevent the transmission of such diseases. For this reason, starting from 1993, surveillance systems have been established in many countries. Moreover, there is urgent need to develop more sensitive, specific and accurate assays through the involvement of clinicians and experts. The authors review the epidemiological characteristics of various human prion diseases and the active surveillance systems pertaining to them in order to limit their diffusion.
Infectious Diseases of Poverty 2016 Jun 2;5(1):47.
Epidemiological characteristics of human prion diseases
Cao Chen and Xiao-Ping Dong