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May 20, 2003
BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (MAD COW DISEASE)
A case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was reported today in Alberta. BSE in beef that has been used for human consumption has been associated with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). BSE is transmitted through feed sources contaminated with infected cattle by-products. Since 1997, the use of feed containing reprocessed cattle by-products has been prohibited in Canada.
Manitoba has never had a reported case of BSE. Based on current information related to the Alberta situation, the risk of Manitobans contracting variant CJD is still considered to be very low. Manitoba already has response and surveillance measures in place for BSE
A working group comprised of Manitoba Health, Manitoba Agriculture and Food and other stakeholders is being created to review BSE surveillance measures, provide information to cattle producers and deal with ongoing developments related to BSE.
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