Recent Observations on the Epidemiology of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) became a statutorily notifiable disease in Great Britain in June 1988 following its recognition in 1986 (1). Initial epidemiologic studies provided evidence that cattle had become infected by a scrapie-like agent via infected meat and bone meal used as a protein supplement (2). A subsequent case-control study of calf-feeding practices substantiated this hypothesis (3), and action to prevent further exposure from the food-borne source was taken in July 1988 when the feeding of ruminant derived protein to ruminants was banned.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. Cohort study of cows is in progress.

EDITOR,—R W Lacey’s letter makes no reference to any scientific paper on the epidemiology of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.1 As a result it contains too many omissions, errors, and misconceptions to pass into the literature unchallenged.

Lacey’s description of the cohort study to examine the risk of maternal transmission is incorrect. This study is comparing the incidence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in offspring of dams that developed clinical signs of the disease and in offspring of dams that reached at least 6 years of age without developing …

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Summary: A detailed account is given of the occurrence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), current research into the aetiology of this new disease of cattle, and the relationship between BSE, scrapie and other similar diseases. Epidemiology, clinical signs, pathology, diagnosis, prevention and control are described.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in the united states an epidemiologist s view

On December 9, 2003, a nonambulatory (“downer”) dairy cow was slaughtered in Washington State, and because the animal’s condition was attributed to complications from calving, the animal was judged to be fit for human consumption (designated as “inspected and passed” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA]). Samples taken from this animal tested positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, also known as mad cow disease) on December 22; the USDA diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by the British world reference laboratory. The international response to the announcement of this result on December 23 was strong and swift, with bans being imposed . . .

oral transmission of l type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in primate model

We report transmission of atypical L-type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy to mouse lemurs after oral or intracerebral inoculation with infected Bovine brain tissue. After neurologic symptoms appeared, transmissibility of the disease by both inoculation routes was confirmed by detection of disease-associated prion protein in samples of brain tissue.