October 2007 Mad Cow News

WASHINGTON D.C.: Update on feed enforcement activities to limit the spread of BSE

To help prevent the establishment and amplification of Bovine Spongiform Encephalophathy (BSE) through feed in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented a final rule that prohibits the use of most mammalian protein in feeds for ruminant animals. This rule, Title 21 Part 589.2000 of the Code of Federal Regulations, here called the Ruminant Feed Ban, became effective on August 4, 1997. FDA.gov Link

BRITIAN: Killer disease claims bright young woman

Grieving parents have, according to this story, told how the human form of mad cow disease claimed the life of their talented and healthy daughter.
Elizabeth Smith, 23, died on October 4 at her home in St Margaret South Elmham, near Harleston, after a long battle against the degenerative illness.
She was first diagnosed with new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD) in March 2005 on her 21st birthday. Evening Star Link


Japan halts beef imports from US plant

Japan suspended beef imports from Cargill Inc.'s plant in Dodge City, Kan., on Wednesday, saying recent shipments from the facility contained tendons that were not properly identified on accompanying papers.
Though the tendons do not pose a mad cow risk, Cargill has acknowledged that boxes bound elsewhere may have been erroneously sent to Japan, according to the statement. MSNBC Link

Absent prions blow hole in BSE theory

Abnormal prion proteins assumed to be the infectious agents that cause mad cow disease and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease might not be to blame after all. Experiments in mice also imply that current tests to detect and intercept meat from animals infected with BSE might miss some cases if diseased animals don't have the abnormal proteins in their brains. New Scientist Link