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BSE INVESTIGATION IN MANITOBA COMPLETED

OTTAWA, August 8, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has concluded its epidemiological investigation of the case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) confirmed on July 3, 2006 in a cow from Manitoba. No part of the animal’s carcass entered the human food or animal feed chains.

The advanced age of the affected animal-at least 16 years old-limited the CFIA’s capacity to collect information concerning the animal’s early history, including its birth farm. Investigators traced 21 herdmates that had been previously purchased with the affected animal. One of these animals was still alive and tested negative for BSE.

Cattle are most susceptible to BSE infection during their first year of life. Therefore, this animal was likely exposed to the BSE agent in 1989 or 1990, at which time the use of meat and bone meal in cattle feed was an accepted and legal practice. Feed fed to this animal after the 1997 introduction of Canada’s feed ban was found to be in compliance with regulatory requirements. The complete report of the investigation is available on the CFIA’s website at www.inspection.gc.ca.

The CFIA’s investigation of the most recent case of BSE, confirmed July 13, 2006, in a cow from Alberta, is nearing completion. A report summarizing the findings of the investigation should be finalized in the coming days.

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For information:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media relations: (613) 228-6682

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