that individuals having contracted cjd in the early 1990s represent a distinct genetic subpopulation, with unusually short incubation periods for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (bse). this means that there may be many more people with vcjd with longer incubation periods, which may surface many years later. prion protein is detectable in lymphoid and appendix tissue up to two years before the onset of neurological symptoms in vcjd. large scale studies in the uk have yielded an estimated prevalence of 493 per million, higher than the actual number of reported cases. this finding indicates a large number of asymptomatic cases and the need to monitor. society and culture in 1997, a number of people from kentucky developed cjd. it was discovered that all had consumed squirrel brains. a coincidental relationship between the disease and this dietary practice may have been involved. in 2008, uk scientists expressed concern over the possibility of a second wave of human cases due to the wide exposure and long incubation of some cases of vcjd. in 2015, a man from new york developed vcjd after eating squirrel brains. from november 2017 to april 2018, four suspected cases of the disease arose in rochester. united kingdom deaths in the uk from creutzfeldt–jakob disease 1990–2014: while cases of vcjd have declined (green), reported cases of sporadic cjd continue to increase (blue) researchers believe one in 2,000 people in the uk is a carrier of the disease, linked to eating contaminated beef. the survey provides the most robust prevalence measure to date—and identifies abnormal prion protein across a wider age group than found previously and in all genotypes, indicating "infection" may be relatively common. this new study examined over 32,000 anonymous appendix samples. of these, 16 samples were positive for abnormal prion protein, indicating an overall prevalence of 493 per million population, or one in 2,000 people are likely to be carriers. no difference was seen in different birth cohorts (1941–1960 and 1961–1985), in both sexes, and there was no apparent difference in abnormal prion prevalence in three broad geographical areas. genetic testing of the 16 positive samples revealed a higher proportion of valine homozygous (vv) genotype on the codon 129 of the gene encoding the prion protein (prnp) compared with the general uk population. this also differs from the 176 people with vcjd, all of whom to date have been methionine homozygous (mm) genotype. the concern is that individuals with this vv genotype may be susceptible to developing the condition over longer incubation periods. human bse foundation commemorative plaque in london paying tribute to people who died from vcjd in 2000 a voluntary support group was formed by families of people who had died from vcjd. the goal was to support other families going through a similar experience. this support was provided through a national helpline, a carer's guide, a website and a network of family befriending. the support groups had an internet presence at the turn of the 21st century. the driving force behind the foundation was lester firkins, whose young son had died from the disease. in october 2000 the report of the government inquiry into bse chaired by lord phillips was published. the bse report criticised former conservative party agriculture ministers john gummer, john macgregor and douglas hogg. the report concluded that the escalation of bse into a crisis was the result of intensive farming, particularly with cows being fed with cow and sheep remains. furthermore, the report was critical of the way the crisis had been handled. there was a reluctance to consider the possibility that bse could cross the species barrier. the government assured the public that british beef was safe to eat, with agriculture minister john gummer famously feeding his daughter a burger. the british government were reactive more than proactive in response; the worldwide ban on all british beef exports in march 1996 was a serious economic blow. the foundation had been calling for compensation to include a care package to help relatives look after those with vcjd. there have been widespread complaints of inadequate health and social services support. following the phillips report in october 2001, the government announced a compensation scheme for british people affected with vcjd. the multi-million-pound financial package was overseen by the vcjd trust. a memorial plaque for those who have died due to vcjd was installed in central london in approximately 2000. it is located on the boundary wall of st thomas' hospital in lambeth facing the riverside walk of albert embankment.