On May 20, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) announced the detection of a case of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Following this finding, the affected cow has been culled.
The animal exhibited clinical signs of BSE and underwent testing as part of Defra’s routine surveillance program. The APHA confirmed that there is no risk to public health or food safety from this case as the animal was not intended for the food chain.
Atypical BSE occurs naturally and is non-contagious, distinguishing it from classical BSE, which is associated with contaminated feed.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss stated: “A single case of atypical BSE has been confirmed on a farm in Essex. The animal died on farm and was tested as part of our strict routine controls and surveillance regime.”
“Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously and sporadically occurring, non-contagious disease which is believed to occur at a very low level in all cattle populations. This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working.”
In light of this incident, Dr. James Cooper, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency, reassured consumers regarding food safety. He noted: “There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity.”
“Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Agency Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors working in all abattoirs in England will continue to ensure that the safety of consumers remains the top priority.”
Currently, the overall risk status for BSE in Britain remains at ‘controlled.’ Furthermore, the World Organisation for Animal Health and trading partners have been duly informed about the case.
As a notifiable animal disease, BSE must be reported to Defra without delay.