Letter: Mad cow disease is no joke

MICHAEL WINNER should count himself fortunate not to have met anyone with 'mad cow disease' (Opinions, 3 July). It seems unlikely, with the lack of follow-up in the medical system, that anyone knows how many people are 'walking around' with it. Not that one walks at all for more than a few days when this dreadful disease enters its recognisable stage.

My husband died last year, diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease. A more appalling way to die is hard to imagine: a rapid and complete breakdown of all mental and physical capability - the only mercy is the speed. So, cut the flippancy. It can happen to anyone - and it is always fatal.

J S L

Abergavenny, Gwent