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An eight-year old cow showing signs of illness was sent for slaughter to a
provincially licensed meat facility and was condemned by Alberta Agriculture,
Food and Rural Development (AAFRD). It was
declared unfit for human consumption and did not enter the food chain. Its
remains were sent for rendering. The cow was not showing symptoms of BSE.
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On May 16, AAFRD tested the
cow’s brain as part of its routine surveillance program for BSE and notified the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) of preliminary test results
indicating possible BSE. The brain tissue was sent to
the CFIA’s
Center for Animal Health in Winnipeg for further testing. On May 18, the
CFIA’s results
also detected the presence of BSE. The CFIA sent samples to the World
Reference Laboratory at Weybridge, United Kingdom for further assessment.
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On May 18, the CFIA quarantined the farm under the
provisions of the Health of Animals Act. The CFIA and provincial officials are
conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine where the cow came from,
its movement between herds and how its remains were processed. Authorities are
also tracking the movement of other livestock from the same farm.
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Results received from the World Reference Laboratory in the U.K. on May 20 confirmed a positive for BSE.
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The CFIA has
contacted its trading partners, the international animal health
standard-setting body (Office International des Epizooties -
OIE), industry
associations, and other provincial partners. A toll-free public information
line has been set up for public enquiries and information on the CFIA’s website will be
updated as new information becomes available.
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This cow was part of a herd of 150 head. After all testing on the herd is
completed, it and other herds determined to be at risk of BSE contamination will be
destroyed to mitigate any risk of transmission. Following the investigation,
all BSE prevention
policies and measures will be reviewed.
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This case of one cow was detected as part of Canada’s active, targeted
BSE surveillance
program. No meat from the cow entered the food chain. Current information
indicates that Canada’s meat supply continues to be safe.
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BSE is a
progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system of cattle. Although the exact
cause of BSE is
unknown, it is associated with the presence of an abnormal protein called a
prion.
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Canada has taken various measures to prevent the introduction or spread of
BSE. There is no
such thing as zero risk in science. Although scientists cannot guarantee
against disease, Canada has carefully monitored and assessed BSE to guard against this
disease.
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In 1992, the CFIA
implemented a national BSE surveillance program. Canada
currently tests all animals with clinical signs which could be compatible with
BSE. Testing of
mature animals without clinical signs of BSE is also performed at the
present time.
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The number of samples being taken under Canada’s surveillance program
exceeds current international standards.
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Scientists believe that BSE is spread by feeding meat and
bonemeal from infected animals to cattle. In order to reduce the potential risk
of diseases like BSE affecting Canadian livestock,
in 1997 the CFIA
banned the feeding of rendered protein products from certain animals back to
other ruminants, like cattle, sheep, goats, bison, elk or deer.
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Rendered products may be used to feed non-ruminant animals, such as horses,
chicken and pigs, because these animals are not at risk of contracting BSE, and cannot pass the
disease on to other animals or humans.
- There has only been one previous confirmed occurrence of BSE in Canada. In December 1993 a
cow in Alberta was diagnosed with the disease and subsequently destroyed along
with the herd of origin. The animal had been imported from the United Kingdom
in 1987. This information was widely reported in the media.
