United Kingdom BSE outbreak

The United Kingdom BSE outbreak was a significant epizootic of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as "mad cow disease," that occurred in the United Kingdom during the late 20th century. The outbreak had profound effects on agriculture, public health, and international trade.

Background

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is a neurodegenerative disease that affects cattle. It is caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that can induce other proteins to misfold. The disease was first identified in the UK in 1986, although it is believed to have been present in cattle populations for several years prior.

Outbreak

The BSE outbreak in the UK reached its peak in the early 1990s. The disease was primarily spread through the practice of feeding cattle with meat and bone meal that contained the remains of other cattle, a process that inadvertently recycled the prions responsible for BSE. In response to the outbreak, the UK government implemented a series of measures, including the banning of such feed and the culling of infected animals.

Human Impact

The BSE outbreak was linked to a new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans, a fatal condition that affects the brain. The first cases of vCJD were identified in the mid-1990s, leading to widespread public concern and changes in food safety regulations. A memorial plaque has been erected to honor the victims of vCJD.

Memorial plaque to victims of vCJD

Government Response

The UK government established the BSE Inquiry in 1997 to investigate the causes of the outbreak and the handling of the crisis. The inquiry's report, published in 2000, criticized the government's response and led to significant changes in food safety and agricultural policies.

Economic Impact

The BSE outbreak had a severe impact on the UK beef industry, leading to a ban on British beef exports by the European Union and other countries. The ban was lifted in 2006 after extensive efforts to eradicate the disease and ensure the safety of beef products.

Cattle being tested for BSE

Epidemiology

The number of BSE cases in the UK peaked in 1992, with over 37,000 cases reported that year. Since then, the number of cases has declined significantly due to stringent control measures.

BSE cases in the UK from 1987 to 2008

Current Status

As of the 2020s, BSE is considered to be under control in the UK, with only sporadic cases reported. The risk of vCJD remains low, but surveillance and research continue to monitor the situation.

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Trends in vCJD cases in the UK

Related pages

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
• Prion
• Food safety

References

• Memorial plaque to victims of vCJD

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  BSE testing in a laboratory

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  BSE cases in the UK from 1987 to 2008

• Trends of vCJD cases in the UK