April 11, 2007

Slovenia confirms eighth case of mad cow disease
 

A new case of mad cow disease in Slovenia was confirmed by veterinary officials from a seven-year-old cow slaughtered in the Celje region last week.

The Slovenian Veterinary Administration (VURS) has established the cow's family ties and banned all movements of animals within the farm's vicinity upon confirmation of its eighth Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) contamination in the country.  

None of the animals from the cow's cohort are still alive, while all the cow's calves born in the last two years will be culled, explained VURS, adding that the breeders will be entitled for a compensation.

The cow diagnosed with BSE was slaughtered last Monday, 2 April at Celjske mesnine abattoir in Celje.

The first case of BSE was discovered in Slovenia in November 2001. Of the eight cases of BSE discovered so far, one cow was imported from Germany, while seven were born in Slovenia.