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Consistent with international obligations, national
BSE surveillance activities are ongoing. Canada conducts surveillance testing for BSE in
targeted high risk bovine sub-populations as recommended by the OIE in its Terrestrial
Animal Health Code1. The probability of detecting BSE in targeted high risk
bovine populations has been documented to be six times greater than the probability of
detecting BSE in an apparently healthy animal. The sampling of targeted high risk
populations is more efficient and cost-effective than the random sampling of a far greater
number of samples required from healthy cattle. Because Canada removes SRM to protect
public health, it is not necessary to test animals in the human food chain. Adult
cattle over 30 months of age are selected from the following categories or target
sub-populations: |
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1. |
Cattle displaying clinical signs of neurological disease not
consistent with the definition of a BSE suspect animal. |
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2. |
The high risk sub-populations include the following:
a) cattle found dead by undetermined causes;
b) cattle that are non-ambulatory and may be euthanized for humane reasons;
c) cattle that display an acute (distressed) or chronic (diseased) deviation from normal
behaviour or appearance including changes in the following: |
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i) locomotor status such as weakness, abnormal head carriage,
ataxia, circling, changes in gait,
ii) sensory status such as kicking, blindness, head pressing, head shyness, sensitivity to
touch, or
iii) mental status such as apprehension, change in behaviour, abnormal ear position,
nervousness, apprehension about passing through entrances, teeth grinding, aggressive
behaviour. |
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Note: All BSE suspect
cases must be tested. (Please see definition of BSE suspect in sections 2.1
Policy (4) and 3.1 BSE Suspect.) |
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1. Surveillance
Systems for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy |
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1. |
Determine if the animal meets the criteria of a BSE
surveillance case. |
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Note: If the inspector believes
that the animal meets the criterial of a BSE suspect refer to 3.1 BSE Suspect for
procedures. Note: If the clinical signs and history do not rule out
rabies, a CFIA inspector must visit the farm to collect and submit a sample for rabies and
BSE testing. |
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2. |
Complete the BSE Surveillance Responder’s Questionnaire
found in 6.3 Appendix 3 as follows.
- Confirm the age of the animal;
- Determine if the animal was seen by a veterinarian and, if so, the name of the
veterinary practitioner;
- Record whether the animal is diseased, dying, dead, or down; and
- If the animal is dead, determine how long it has been dead.
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3. |
If the animal is determined to be a possible BSE surveillance
case and the animal is still alive, advise producers that they have the option of
consulting a private veterinarian. Producers may be entitled to up to $100.00 to help
defray the cost of a veterinary consultation that results in the collection of an eligible
BSE surveillance sample, and $75.00 to help with the disposal cost of the carcass;
however, the cost of euthanizing an animal in the absence of a veterinary consultation and
sample submission is not eligible. The private veterinarian and the producer must complete
and sign CFIA 5372-Producer/Veterinarian
Agreement Form. The originals of the form are to be provided to the district
office along with the surveillance specimen procured by the private veterinarian. The CFIA
inspector receiving the specimen will determine if it is deemed to be an eligible sample
based on the terms of reference listed on Schedule A of the form. The inspector will
forward the original signed agreement to the Area Office for payment and submit the sample
to the CFIA laboratory. |
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4. |
Surveillance animals should not be ordered destroyed by CFIA
staff. If the potential surveillance case is still alive and the producer does not wish to
bring in a private veterinarian for a consultation and sample collection, the producer may
allow the animal to die naturally or have the animal humanely destroyed (by veterinarian
or producer). However, the costs of euthanizing an animal or disposing of the carcass, in
the absence of a veterinary consultation and sample submission, are not eligible for
defrayment by the CFIA. If the animal is still alive, instruct the owner to notify the CFIA
district office immediately upon the death of the animal so that a sample can be retrieved
by a CFIA inspector in a timely fashion. Advise producers of their entitlement to $75.00
to help defray the costs of disposal of the carcass. Advise producers that they will have
to complete and sign CFIA 5372 before
the sample is collected by the CFIA inspector. The inspector will forward the original
completed copy of the form to the CFIA Area office for payment. |
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5. |
Discuss the disposal of the carcass with the producer. The
carcass of a BSE surveillance animal may be buried or incinerated, or the producer may
have the carcass collected by a deadstock operator. However, such carcasses are to be held
until confirmation of test results. Alternatively, complete and issue CFIA
4206-Requirement to Quarantine and/or License to Transport Animals or Things to
officially detain the carcass until the test results are known. |
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6. |
It is recommended that the carcass of an animal euthanized with
a barbiturate not be collected as commercial deadstock |
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7. |
Depending on provincial and individual circumstances, it may be
appropriate to provide a written record of instructions for disposal of the carcass by
issuing CFIA 2996-Declaration of an Inspector. The carcass maybe incinerated or
buried in accordance with federal, provincial, and municipal requirements, or the owner
may maintain control of the carcass until negative test results are confirmed, at which
point they may contract. |
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1. |
Targeted district offices will be collecting BSE surveillance
samples from deadstock collection sites under contract to the CFIA. The district office
staff involved in collecting samples at these sites will aid in the reconciliation of the
number of samples collected on a monthly basis for the purpose of payment. |
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2. |
Collect appropriate samples and submit as surveillance samples
in accordance with 6.1 Appendix 1. Include all pertinent information (e.g.
information regarding source abattoir) and identifiers. |
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3. |
Take appropriate action to ensure that all parts of a carcass
can be identified and matched with the head and the sample that was submitted. |
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4. |
All tested carcasses are to be held at the deadstock collection
site until test results are received. Upon receipt of negative test results, lift any and
all restrictions on the carcasses. If a positive test is obtained refer to procedures in 3
Procedures. |
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1. |
All cattle presented for slaughter must be inspected for
evidence of central nervous system disease. Cattle exhibiting such signs must be held and
referred to an animal health inspector. A bovine that does NOT fit the BSE case definition
in 2.1 Policy (4) may be sampled under the BSE surveillance program. |
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2. |
The carcass in its entirety (including all inedible portions)
must be kept separate and held until BSE and (if appropriate) rabies test results are
known. Complete and issue CFIA 4206-Requirement to Quarantine and/or License to
Transport Animals or Things to detain the carcass in its entirety until test results
are known or license the carcass in its entirety for removal to an approved site for
burial or incineration. Ensure that the animal identification is noted on the quarantine
form. If the abattoir does not have the capacity to hold the carcass until the test
results are known, it may be licensed for removal to an alternate location where it can be
held in quarantine pending test results. Upon receipt of negative test results, all
restrictions are removed from the carcass in its entirety. |
