[Source: OIE, full page: (LINK). Edited.]


Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, United States of America


Information received on 26/04/2012 from Dr John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of America
  • Summary
    • Report type Immediate notification
    • Start date 19/04/2012
    • Date of first confirmation of the event 23/04/2012
    • Report date 26/04/2012
    • Date submitted to OIE 26/04/2012
    • Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
    • Date of previous occurrence 2006
    • Manifestation of disease Sub-clinical infection
    • Causal agent Prion (atypical BSE)
    • Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
    • This event pertains to the whole country
  • New outbreaks
    • Outbreak 1 - Tulare, County, Tulare, County, CALIFORNIA
      • Date of start of the outbreak 19/04/2012
      • Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
      • Epidemiological unit Farm
      • Affected animals: Species ? Susceptible ? Cases ? Deaths ? Destroyed ? Slaughtered
        • Cattle - ? ? 1 - ? ? 1 ? 0
        • Affected Population:
          • As part of a targeted BSE surveillance at rendering facilities, a deceased dairy cow (10 years and seven months old) was tested for BSE.
  • Summary of outbreaks
    • Total outbreaks: 1
    • Outbreak statistics: Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
      • Cattle ? ** ? ** ? ** - **
      • * Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
      • ** Not calculated because of missing information
  • Epidemiology
    • Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
      • Unknown or inconclusive
      • Random mutation
  • Epidemiological comments
    • As part of the United States targeted bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance system a case of BSE classified as atypical was identified in a dead dairy cow that was to be rendered. The dead animal?s carcass will be destroyed.
      • The cow was culled due to lameness.
      • The identified animal was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, did not enter food supply channels, and at no time presented any risk to human health.
      • An epidemiological investigation into the incident has been initiated.
      • Movement controls have been placed on the index premises.
  • Control measures
    • Measures applied
      • Quarantine
      • Screening
      • No vaccination
      • No treatment of affected animals
    • Measures to be applied
      • No other measures
  • Diagnostic test results
    • Laboratory name and type University of California (Local laboratory)
      • Tests and results: Species ? Test - Test date ? Result
        • Cattle - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) - 19/04/2012 - Doubtful (uncertain)
    • Laboratory name and type National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) (National laboratory)
      • Tests and results: Species ? Test - Test date ? Result
        • Cattle - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) - 21/04/2012 - Doubtful (uncertain)
        • Cattle - immunohistochemical test - 23/04/2012 ? Positive
        • Cattle - western blotting - 23/04/2012 ? Positive
  • Future Reporting
    • The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.
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