October 26, 2004

Possible 15th Mad Cow Case Detected in Japan

A preliminary test shows a Holstein cow in Japan has tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, said an official Saturday.

If the finding is confirmed, this would become the country's 15th case of mad cow disease. Test results are expected to be released Tuesday.

The dairy cow comes from a ranch in the state of Mie, in western Japan. Authorities have placed a quarantine on the farm where the cow was raised.

Japan checks every slaughtered cow before it enters the food supply chain.

The country has banned beef imports from the US for the past 10 months.