15 Mar 06 - Positive BSE Test Results Confirmed in U.S. Cow
As part of its enhanced surveillance program (ESP), USDA reported today its third case of BSE (and the second case identified through the ESP.) The animal did not enter the food or feed chain. The infected animal has already been buried.
The index cow that tested positive for BSE was a Santa Gertrudis beef breed, and was found on a farm in Alabama.
Preliminary examination of the animal's dentition indicates that the cow was about 10 years old. If the animal were determined to be 10 years old, it would have been born before the feed ban was implemented.
According to the Korean import protocol covering imports of beef from the United States to Korea that entered into force on March 6, 2006, only beef from cattle less than 30-months of age is eligible for import. As was agreed upon between the United States and Korea in January, the beef import protocol also stipulates than cases of BSE found in cattle born before April 1998 would not affect imports of U.S. beef to Korea.
Only two high-risk animals have ever tested positive under the enhanced surveillance program that has now tested over 652,000 animals. This demonstrates that the prevalence of BSE in the U.S. is extremely low and declining. The enhanced surveillance program was initiated after a Washington State cow imported from Canada was determined to be infected with BSE in December 2003.
The USG will conduct a thorough investigation to determine this animal's history and whether any of its cohorts or progeny might also be affected. The epidemiological report was initiated, and the USDA is committed to an open and transparent process for developing and finalizing this report. The FDA will also conduct a feed investigation to determine how the animal became infected.