News

Atypical BSE detected in Alabama cow

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) says an 11 year old cow in Alabama has tested positive for atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).

APHIS and state veterinary officials are gathering more information on what would be the fifth case of the neurological cattle disease in the U.S., and offered assurances the animal never entered slaughter channels—presenting no risk to the food supply.

Of the four previous cases, the first was classical BSE imported from Canada, and the rest have been atypical.

APHIS says atypical BSE, like classic, is not contagious, but is different in that it generally occurs in older cattle and seems to arise rarely and spontaneously in all cattle populations.

U.S. Cattlemen’s Association president Kenny Graner says this and the other atypical BSE cases are in no way the same as classical BSE cases reported in the 1980’s in the United Kingdom, which would affect public health.

Classic BSE has been linked to a fatal brain disease in humans.

Graner also reiterated atypical BSE, as determined by the World Organization for Animal Health, does not affect the United States’ current status as negligible risk for BSE.

 

 

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!