May 15, 2006

Japan and Austria both announce new cases of mad cow disease

Japanese authorities confirmed the 26th case of mad cow disease in the country while Austria reported its fourth case over the weekend. 

For Japan, the case was discovered in a 68-month-old Holstein cow from a farm in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido.

Japan, the only Asian country to have confirmed cases, now screens every cow slaughtered for consumption.

Meanwhile Austrian authorities said they have culled all other cows in the farm with the infected cow.

The case was discovered after the cow had been slaughtered and its presence was detected through laboratory tests on the cow.

The slaughterhouse was thoroughly disinfected. None of the other cows were tested positive but were culled as a precaution.