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U.S. traces relative of Canadian
BSE-stricken cow
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Unlikely 2002 imported cow infected
[JAN. 11, 2005]
The following statement by
Dr. Ron DeHaven, administrator, Animal & Plant Health Inspection
Service, was released Jan. 7 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
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"The U.S. Department of Agriculture is
working closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in their
investigation of the Canadian dairy cow that recently tested
positive for BSE. This investigation is focused on identifying birth
cohorts -- animals born in the same herd within one year of the
affected animal. The preliminary investigation has shown that one of
these birth cohorts was imported into the United States in February
2002 for immediate slaughter. USDA, in collaboration with FDA, is
currently tracing the disposition of this animal and will provide
further details as the investigation evolves.
"Even at the height of BSE infection
in Europe and the United Kingdom, it was extremely rare to have more
than one animal in the same herd affected with BSE, therefore USDA
believes it is extremely unlikely that this imported cow would have
been infected. Nevertheless, as was the case in May 2003, when
Canada had its first case of BSE and a small number of birth cohorts
were traced to the United States, USDA will make every reasonable
effort to obtain and provide information about the disposition of
this animal as well as any other birth cohorts that are traced to
the United States through Canada's epidemiological investigation.
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"USDA and FDA have had a strong
program in place for years to protect the U.S. livestock population
from BSE. Import controls on live cattle and certain ruminant
products from countries at high risk of BSE were put in place more
than 15 years ago. In 1997, both the United States and Canada
finalized animal feed bans, which are the single most important
safeguard to prevent the spread of the disease through the cattle
population. Public and animal health in the United States and Canada
have also been protected through ongoing surveillance efforts and
inspection of animals at slaughter for neurological signs, and now
by the removal of specified risk materials from the human food
supply.
"USDA also continues the enhanced BSE
surveillance program that began in June 2004. To date, more than
170,000 targeted animals have been tested for BSE. All samples have
been negative."
[USDA
news release]
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