Doctors say the chances of having Cruetzfeldt Jakob Disease or CJD are one in a million, but believe a Portsmouth woman may have contracted the disease.

Health Department officials say this is an isolated case and they don’t believe it’s spreading from person to person.

“Why this disease,” asked Robin Vinson. “Why my daughter?”

Those are just two of the many questions running through Robin Vinson’s mind. Her daughter Aretha could possibly have one of the rarest diseases found in the world.

“To see her in the state in which she is in, it’s only through the grace of God to give me the strength to stand and watch her with such limitations,” added Vinson.

Aretha,22, is confined to a hospital bed, unconscious, inside Maryview Medical Center. Her family says her health rapidly got worse after having gastrobypass surgery less than three months ago. They say her motor skills began to worsen and her memory began to fade.

“This is a very rare condition,” said Dr. Demetria Lindsay, Director of the Portsmouth Health Department. “It is not easily passed from person to person. You can not get it from casual contact or even close contact.”

Doctors say there are only about 200 cases of CJD in the United States every year. They say it’s passed through surgeries and in rare situations by eating meat. The Health Department says there is no reason to worry, but they are trying to figure out how Aretha got it.

“They don’t know a whole lot about this disease, however we have educated ourselves by going through the Internet,” added Vinson. “We found out there is so much involved and that there is no treatment available and there is no cure.”

The last time Robin was able to speak to Aretha was Friday. Robin tells us Aretha’s condition worsens everyday.

Aretha’s family tells us she was a bright woman who just graduated with honors from Virginia State last year - she wanted to be a teacher. They say they’re trying to enjoy every moment they have left with her.

“You know when she was born is was such a special moment,” added Vinson. “It was the best a mother can ask for and now my daughter is near death and every moment I have with her is a precious moment.”