June 2, 2009
BSE found to be naturally occurring in cattle
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, is a naturally occurring disease in cattle and therefore inextinguishable, according to Polish and Swiss scientists.
The conclusion was made after scientists had investigated the presence of atypical BSE case in Switzerland.
Samples of 33 positive cows were researched and one sample was found to have a different type of prion causing the symptoms. Thus, the overall prevalence of atypical BSE is Switzerland appears to be low and similar to what has been reported from other countries.
Experimental data strengthened the speculation that atypical BSE once recycled in the cattle population was the origin of the worldwide BSE epidemic in the last 20 years.
If that holds true and such cases occur spontaneously in the population, then the disease may never be completely eliminated.
In these circumstances, it would be dangerous to relieve certain disease control measures such as the complete ban of meat and bone meal (MBM) in ruminant feed, the researchers said.
