Bovine spongiform encephalopathy discovered in Alberta cow for first time since 2011

A recently discovered case in Alberta of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, “should not affect current exports of Canadian cattle or beef,” the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Thursday, though other animals found to have “equivalent risk” will be ordered destroyed and tested for BSE.

CFIA confirmed Thursday the presence of BSE in a beef cow from Alberta, the first since 2011.

“No part of the animal’s carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems,” CFIA stated on its website. “Canada remains a ‘controlled BSE risk’ country, as recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Accordingly, this case should not affect current exports of Canadian cattle or beef.”

BSE is a fatal, neurological disease in cattle.

“As part of the investigation, the CFIA is seeking to confirm the age of the animal, its history and how it became infected,” the agency said. “The investigation will focus in on the feed supplied to this animal during the first year of its life. The Agency will also trace out all animals of equivalent risk. Equivalent risk animals will be ordered destroyed and tested for BSE.”

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.