Mad cow crisis

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Aphis.usda.gov BSE 3

Mad Cow Crisis

The Mad Cow Crisis refers to a significant public health scare that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s, centered around Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), a fatal disease affecting cattle. This crisis had far-reaching impacts on the agriculture industry, public health policies, and the beef consumption habits worldwide.

Background

BSE, commonly known as Mad Cow Disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects cattle. It is caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that lead to the spongiform degeneration of the brain and spinal cord in cattle. The disease was first identified in the UK in 1986, but it is believed to have been present since the 1970s. The primary route of transmission to cattle was through the practice of feeding them meat-and-bone meal that contained the remains of other cattle, a common practice at the time to boost their protein intake.

Spread and Impact

The Mad Cow Crisis reached its peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s when cases of BSE in cattle began to rise sharply in the UK. The crisis was not limited to the UK; cases were reported in other countries, leading to widespread public concern over the safety of beef. The situation was exacerbated in 1996 when a variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), a fatal human neurodegenerative condition, was linked to the consumption of beef from cattle infected with BSE. This discovery led to a significant public health scare, with consumers around the world avoiding beef products and governments imposing bans on British beef.

Government and Industry Response

The UK government and the European Union took several measures to control the spread of BSE and restore public confidence in beef products. These included the culling of infected and at-risk cattle, banning the use of meat-and-bone meal in cattle feed, and implementing strict surveillance and testing measures for cattle. The crisis led to the slaughter of millions of cattle in an effort to contain the disease and prevent its spread to humans.

Aftermath and Legacy

The Mad Cow Crisis had a lasting impact on the agriculture and food industries, leading to significant changes in animal husbandry practices, food safety regulations, and the global trade of beef. It also spurred scientific research into prion diseases and the development of new diagnostic methods and treatments for conditions like BSE and vCJD.

The crisis highlighted the importance of food safety and the need for stringent regulatory measures to protect public health. It also led to increased public awareness and scrutiny of food production and sourcing practices.

See Also

• Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
• Prion
• Food Safety