April 26, 2006

 

Canada continues trace of latest BSE-infected cow

 

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) continues to trace cattle that may have been exposed to the same feed as the cow that was confirmed as having mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), on Apr 16, a release from the CFIA said Tuesday (Apr 25).

 

To date, 19 animals have been located and will be tested in the coming days. Based on international experience and previous North American investigations, finding additional cases of BSE in these animals is unlikely, the CFIA said.

 

Following the recommendations of the World Organisation for Animal Health, investigators are also tracing the affected animal's most-recently born offspring.

 

The CFIA has identified a number of feed sources used on the affected animal's birth farm. The formulation, production, transportation and storage of these feeds are under review.

 

The fact that the cow from British Columbia was confirmed to have BSE this month does not affect the safety of Canadian beef, the CFIA said. Tissues in which BSE is known to concentrate in infected animals are removed from all cattle slaughtered in Canada for domestic and international human consumption. No part of this animal entered the human-food or animal-feed systems.

 

Preliminary investigations conducted prior to receiving final results identified the animal's exact date of birth and birth farm--two critical elements required to trace other animals of interest, as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health. With the confirmed positive results and this information already in hand, the CFIA undertook the animal component of its investigation on a priority basis.

 

The CFIA is also conducting a thorough examination of potential sources of infection. Investigators will pay particular attention to the feed to which the animal may have been exposed early in its life, when cattle are most susceptible to BSE.

 

The CFIA is collecting records of feed purchased by and used on the animal's birth farm. As in previous investigations, the CFIA will also fully consider all other scientific pathways in an attempt to definitively determine how the animal became infected.

 

This animal, a six-year-old dairy cow, developed BSE after the implementation of Canada's feed ban, the release said.