Printer Friendly Version

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
(Mad Cow Disease)

On 23 December 2003, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported the first suspected case of BSE within the United States in Washington State. This case was from a “downer” Holstein cow (unable to rise and walk on its own), and samples were collected at slaughter on 9 December 2003 as part of the USDA’s routine surveillance program for BSE. Final confirmation is being determined in the United Kingdom and results will be released within 3-5 days. USDA officials are investigating the origin of the animal and how its remains were processed. The farm where the cow first showed clinical signs was identified and has been quarantined.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was first diagnosed in Great Britain in 1986. It is a fatal, degenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system of cattle. There have been no cases of BSE found in the United States despite a very active surveillance program. In 1996, a similar form of the disease first appeared in humans and was called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD). It was diagnosed in the United Kingdom and later in France and Ireland. There have been no cases of vCJD among military personnel or their families. Scientific researchers believe that eating meat from cattle infected with BSE is the cause of vCJD. It is important to know that although the risk is very low, US military dining facilities, commissaries, exchange facilities (BX/PX/NEX) and Morale, Welfare and Recreation have been directed to sell only beef and beef products purchased from US approved sources. No European beef is used in these facilities. The classic, sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease affects approximately 1 in a million people worldwide and is not related to BSE.

The potential for this to be a terrorist event is very remote. The BSE agent is not highly infectious and requires consumption of the material by the cow. Following exposure, the incubation period before any clinical signs or symptoms would develop is from 2 to 8 years.

More on Mad Cow Disease:

• From the US Department of Agriculture
• From the Food and Drug Administration
  
• From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (search for "BSE").
  
• From the The American Red Cross
• From the NIH
  

The resources below are available for your information and are being updated as rapidly as possible to reflect the recent detection of BSE in the United States. New information will continue to be posted as soon as it is available

Questions and Answers -

• Questions and Answers about Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
• Questions and Answers about variant CJD (vCJD)
• Questions and Answers on BSE and Food Safety
• Questions and Answers about BSE/vCJD and Blood Donation
• Questions and Answers about BSE and Vaccines
  

Fact Sheets

• Mad Cow Disease Food Safety Fact Sheet - Updated 24 Dec 2003
  
  
• Health Care Provider Fact Sheet - Updated 24 Dec - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or "Mad Cow Disease" and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD)
  
  
• Europe is currently experiencing an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). FMD is a disease that affects animals, and people are not at risk. Although it affects cattle, it is not related to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).
  
  Foot and Mouth Disease
  

Information for Health Providers

• Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease:.From Mad Cows to Humans
• Questions and Answers for Medical Care Provider