- Case counts (2016-2025), population estimates (2016-2023), & population projections (2024-2025): Public Health Ontario.
- Query: Case counts of reportable diseases by public health unit and year. Toronto, ON: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion; extracted on March 9, 2026.
CJD
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), also known as prion diseases, are a group of rare, degenerative brain disorders.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is the most common TSE in humans.
Other types of human TSEs include variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Disease (GSS), Kuru, Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI), and variably protease-sensitive prionopathy VPSPr).
CJD is a rare and fatal form of dementia, caused by abnormal prion proteins that are toxic to the brain.
After it starts, CJD usually progresses rapidly. Eventually the person loses the ability to move, speak, or care for themselves, and they need full-time care.
Most people with this disease die within six months after their illness began. Some can live as long as one year, and rarely longer.
Local Information
2025 Statistics
Incidence rate is the number of new cases of disease divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease during a particular time period.
Cases:
0*
Incidence rate per 100,000 in 2025: 0
*Includes confirmed cases in 2025.
Incidence rate per 100,000 of creutzfeldt-jakob disease, all types by year
Alzheimer Society
The Canadian CJD Association
Public Health Agency of Canada
Report to the Health Unit immediately by fax (704-482-0670) and phone at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229 if CJD is suspected or confirmed as per Ontario Regulation 135/18 and amendments under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O., c.H.7.
After hours, weekends, and holidays, call 705-474-1400 then press 0 to speak with the Answering Service. The on-call CDC Public Health Nurse will get back to you as soon as possible.
Should one go to childcare, school, or work if they have CJD?
No exclusion necessary as people exposed to CJD are not contagious.
Healthcare provider information
There is no specific treatment available.
Public Health Agency of Canada
Infection prevention and control
Public Health Agency of Canada
Public Health Ontario
Public Health Agency of Canada
Ministry of Health - Ontario Public Health Standards
Contact our Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.
Last updated: June 2026, by CDC