BSE                                     ...

BSE                                                                                                

Intensive USDA BSE Surveillance Program Begins June 1

An aggressive, USDA-BSE surveillance program set to start on June 1, will test more than 200,000 animals over the next 12-18 months. The program will test targeted, high-risk animals as well as 20,000 symptom-free older slaughter cattle, particularly those born before the August 1997 ban on animal protein in cattle feed. High-risk animals include cattle exhibiting central nervous system problems, non-ambulatory animals and those which die for unknown reasons.

USDA Chief Veterinarian Ron DeHaven said that the purpose of the surveillance program was to determine if there is BSE in the United States and if so how prevalent it was. Any tested animal which produces a positive or inconclusive result, DeHaven said in a teleconference on May 21, will be removed from the human food chain pending more intensive testing results from the National Veterinary Services laboratory in Ames, Iowa. Seven laboratories are already ready to employ rapid screening tests and five more will be added. The rapid screening tests should produce results in 24-73 hours. Inconclusive or positive samples sent to Ames, should be turned around in 4-8 days.

More information on the USDA teleconference can be found on line at the USDA Web site.

BSE                                                                                                

Intensive USDA BSE Surveillance Program Begins June 1

An aggressive, USDA-BSE surveillance program set to start on June 1, will test more than 200,000 animals over the next 12-18 months. The program will test targeted, high-risk animals as well as 20,000 symptom-free older slaughter cattle, particularly those born before the August 1997 ban on animal protein in cattle feed. High-risk animals include cattle exhibiting central nervous system problems, non-ambulatory animals and those which die for unknown reasons.

USDA Chief Veterinarian Ron DeHaven said that the purpose of the surveillance program was to determine if there is BSE in the United States and if so how prevalent it was. Any tested animal which produces a positive or inconclusive result, DeHaven said in a teleconference on May 21, will be removed from the human food chain pending more intensive testing results from the National Veterinary Services laboratory in Ames, Iowa. Seven laboratories are already ready to employ rapid screening tests and five more will be added. The rapid screening tests should produce results in 24-73 hours. Inconclusive or positive samples sent to Ames, should be turned around in 4-8 days.

More information on the USDA teleconference can be found on line at the USDA Web site.