Canada Confirms Eighth Case Of Mad-Cow Disease

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Main Category: CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Veterinary
Article Date: 24 Aug 2006 - 10:00 PDT

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Canadian authorities have confirmed that a mature beef cow from Alberta had mad-cow disease (BSE). According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), no part of the animal has entered the human or animal food chains. The cow is estimated to be between 8 and 10 years old, making it highly likely that it was exposed to BSE before the feed ban was implemented. The age estimate was made by the owner and a private veterinarian. The CFIA says the animal's age "is consistent with those of previous Canadian cases and exposure to a very low level of BSE infectivity."

(BSE = Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy = Mad Cow Disease)

BSE was identified in this cow as a result of an ongoing national BSE surveillance program. The program tests cows at higher risk of BSE. So far, more than 117,500 cows have been tested since 2003, says the CFIA.

Authorities are still trying to find out where the cow originally came from. This information will help confirm the cow's age, as well as checking out other cows, herdmates, that originated from the same farm.

The USA, which was due to lift a ban on the imports of older Canadian cattle, has decided to wait until an ongoing Canadian investigation is concluded.

-- Mad Cow Disease In North America
-- US Dept of Agriculture Statement on Canda's 8th BSE Case
-- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today