It has been confirmed that a man being treated in a Dublin hospital for probable case of variant CJD was previously a blood donor.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service said that the man, whose suspected case of the degenerative brain disease is awaiting confirmation by the hospital, has previously donated blood.
The Department of Health said that every possible safeguard and preventative measure had been taken by the relevant agencies.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service said that the donor had only given one blood donation. There were two recipients of the blood and both have now been traced.
One patient subsequently died of an unrelated underlying condition. The recipient of the other blood component has been informed.
The IBTS confirmed that vCJD can be spread by blood transfusion. This is known to have happened on at least one occasion in the UK.
This is just the second suspected case in this country of the degenerative brain disease, which is transmitted through blood and infected meat.
The Department of Health cautioned tonight that the case was still awaiting confirmation from the hospital, and asked that the media respect the privacy of the patient's family.
It said all necessary safeguards and precautions have been taken by the relevant agencies, the hospital management, and the Irish Blood Tranfusion Service.
