Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly called "mad cow disease" or "BSE" has not been found in the United States. However, this slowly progressive, degenerative disease has been found in the United Kingdom and other countries. Is BSE a threat to American livestock and our food supply? What happens to animals with BSE and humans who eat BSE contaminated food? This document answers these questions.

As of December 2000, the U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits all imports from any European country of animal protein products such as bone meal. This is because animal feed and by-products (i.e. rendered animal protein) from contaminated animals are suspected of transmitting BSE. Also, since 1990, the USDA has had a program to examine the brains of dead U.S. Cattle for BSE. To date, none have tested positive. There are currently no tests for live animals.

BSE has been linked to another transmissible spongiform disease - a variant form of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. However, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, reports no cases of variant CJD in the United States. The USDA, the Food and Drug Administration, and several agencies, such as the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Board of Animal Health have vigorous prevention programs. For instance, there are education programs for animal producers and feed manufacturers.

Characteristics of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (including BSE "mad cow" and scrapie with sheep)

The nervous systems of humans and animals - cattle, elk, deer, mink, sheep, and goats are affected.

• There may be behavior changes or depression.
• Animals may have tremors and be uncoordinated.
• It is a progressive, fatal disease.