Summary
The most recent case in the U.S., described as an atypical form of BSE, is adding to a growing body of evidence that suggests bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) can occur spontaneously. This, combined with the continued persistence of a small number of BSE cases in the U.K., where a rigorously enforced ruminant to ruminant feed ban has not eradicated the disease, raises questions concerning the prevalent theories about what actually causes BSE.
There have been at least a dozen BSE diagnoses reported since 2004 that have been classed as atypical. Most of them have come from Europe but Japan has also had atypical BSE and the two latest cases were diagnosed in the U.S. One cow in Alabama and another in Texas were diagnosed as atypical BSE.If it is established that BSE can occur without cattle being infected by contaminated feed, don't expect to see a dramatic effect on how the disease is managed at this stage. The existing ruminant-to-ruminant feed bans are believed to mitigate the risk of spreading BSE through the livestock feed chain. If it turns out that BSE in some form or another is part of the disease load normally present at a very low level in cattle then it follows that the risk management now in place has gone a long way to reduce human exposure to what is believed to be the causing agent.See the full content of this document
Extract
Bse Case Fails to Cause Alarm
Peter Schroedter
A 15-year old cow from Manitoba's Interlake pulled the Mad Cow issue back into the national media spotlight when it tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy recently.The Canadian Food Inspection agency has begun it's due diligence...See the full content of this document
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