Mad cow disease confirmed in Alberta

Feb 13, 2015

First reported case in four years

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease, in an Alberta cow.

None of the infected animal entered human or animal foods.

The CFIA has launched an investigation into where the disease came from and is working together with beef industry experts to try and pinpoint the details of the infection.

"As an industry we support all measures taken by the CFIA as they lead the investigation," said Rich Smith, Executive Director of Alberta Beef Producers.

Part of the investigation will call for the animal’s age and feed history. The CFIA will also investigate other animals deemed to be an equivalent risk. Those animals will be ordered to be destroyed and tested for BSE.

Canada’s Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz spoke on the situation and said this case will not affect Canada’s place when it comes to trading beef internationally. He said Canada operates under international rules that allow for up to 12 cases of BSE annually.

The confirmed case is the first in Canada since 2011.

About Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy/Mad cow disease

A fatal disease that targets the animal’s brain
Disease is spread through feed contaminated with the infected tissue
When the cow is slaughtered for meat, it can enter human food
CFIA says milk from infected cows doesn’t spread the disease
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) can appear in humans if they eat infected cow meat and there is no cure. The risk of it in Canada is “extremely small” according to the CFIA
Symptoms of BSE in cows can include trouble standing, weight loss and aggressive behaviour

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