Does the government have a system of active surveillance for BSE?
The recent introduction of rapid screening tests, compulsory in many countries, has greatly improved the detection of cases. Such “active” detection of infected cattle, followed by their destruction, prevents entry into the feed chain of a large proportion of infectious material. News of a few cases in countries with active surveillance is more reassuring than no reported cases in countries with poor surveillance. Are cases of BSE imported or are they being born within the country’s herds? Within cattle herds, BSE is not contagious and does not spread from animal to animal. Isolated imported cases will not spark an epidemic if the affected cattle are destroyed and the carcasses are not recycled for use in feed. Of much greater concern are cases of BSE in cattle born within the national herd, as this implies that feeding practices within the country are at fault and that many other cattle have been exposed. Does meat come from young cattle? The incubation period for BSE is very long: 4–
