February 10, 2004

USDA Ends Investigation Into US Mad Cow Case

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday it has wrapped up its investigation into the December discovery of a dairy cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, in Washington state.

USDA spokesman Ed Loyd said "the active part of the investigation" has been completed and a teleconference to brief the media has been scheduled at 1200 EST (1700 GMT).

The USDA quickly discovered and proved, through DNA testing, that the infected cow had been imported from Canada along with 80 other herd mates.

The hunt for those 80 animals that came over the border more than two years ago has ended. As of Friday, the USDA said 28 have been found.

The importance of these cattle, according USDA's chief veterinarian Ron DeHaven, is that they likely fed together as young calves and feed, if it contains infected ruminant material, is believed to be the only way mad-cow disease is spread.

DeHaven is scheduled to lead the Monday teleconference, Loyd said.