February 27, 2008

Canada confirms latest mad cow case in Alberta, low-risk status stays

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the detection of mad cow disease in a six-year-old dairy cow from Alberta.

The agency said the infected carcass is under CFIA control, and no part entered the human food or animal feed chain.

The age and location of the infected animal are consistent with previous cases reported in Canada and will not affect the country's Controlled Risk status.

The periodic detection of a small number of mad cow cases has been expected as Canada progresses toward the eradication of the disease, authorities explained.

An investigation is currently underway to identify the animal's herdmates at the time of birth and potential pathways by which it might have become infected. Once completed, a report on the investigation will be released.