Brazil confirms cases of Mad Cow


Image: Pixabay

This Saturday (04/09) the Agricultural Defense Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply confirmed two cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, known as “mad cow”, in slaughterhouses in Nova Canaã do Norte (MT) and Belo Horizonte ( MG). The confirmation was made by the reference laboratory of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), in Alberta, Canada. The cases were detected during the inspection carried out before the animals were slaughtered.

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The records represent the fourth and fifth case of atypical EBB (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) in more than 23 years of health surveillance for the disease. According to the Agricultural Defense Secretariat, Brazil has never recorded the occurrence of classic EBB. Cases of atypical mad cow are less dangerous for the herd because they are spontaneous and sporadic, as they originate from an animal's organism and do not occur due to the ingestion of contaminated feed. This type of disease usually affects cattle at an advanced age. Classic mad cow disease manifests itself after ingestion of contaminated food, such as animal protein, and affects the youngest herd.

Brazil officially notified the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of the occurrence. In compliance with the health protocol signed between Brazil and China, beef exports are temporarily suspended. The measure, which came into effect from Saturday (04/09) and will remain in force until the Chinese authorities complete the evaluation of the information already passed on about the cases.

By: Aline Merladete | agrolink

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