A single case of atypical
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a
farm in Essex, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
confirmed today (Tuesday 20 May).
The animal showed some clinical
signs of BSE and was humanely culled on farm and tested as part
of Defra's routine surveillance programme. There is no risk to
public health or food safety from this case and the animal, as
fallen stock, was not destined to enter the food
chain.
Atypical BSE is a naturally
occurring, non-contagious disease in cattle which occurs
spontaneously. It is distinct from classical BSE which is linked
to contaminated feed.
Chief Veterinary
Officer Christine Middlemiss
said:
“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.”
Dr James Cooper, Deputy
Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency
said:
“There is no food safety risk.
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.”
Great Britain's overall risk
status for BSE remains at ‘controlled' and there is no risk to
food safety or public health.
The World Organisation for
Animal Health and trading partners have been informed of the
case. This does not affect the UK's ability to export beef to
other countries.
BSE is a notifiable animal disease. If
you suspect it, you must report it immediately by calling the
Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact
0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office.
Failure to do so is an offence. This applies to pet and small
holder animals as well as commercial
cattle.
ENDS
Notes to
editors:
- Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy is a chronic degenerative
disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle. It is not
contagious, so it does not spread from animal to animal or
between holdings.
- Classical BSE was first diagnosed in the United Kingdom in
1986.
- Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and occurs at a
very low level in all cattle populations. It is reported
occasionally in countries with active BSE surveillance
programmes.
- The last case of atypical BSE in the UK was in December 2024
in Scotland. There has been a total of 4 cases since 2015
(including this latest case).
- [The case was identified as a result of strict
control measures we have in place. It was not destined for the
human food chain and the Food Standards Agency have confirmed
there is no risk to human health as a result of this isolated
case.]
