How is BSE spread in cattle?
There is no scientific evidence that shows BSE can be spread by contact between unrelated adult cattle or from cattle to other species. There is some evidence suggesting maternal transmission may occur at extremely low levels. Cattle can become infected with BSE by eating feed contaminated with the infectious BSE agent. This is why in 1997 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited the use of most mammalian protein in the manufacture of animal feed intended for cows and other ruminants. For more information on the feed ban, please visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website at www.fda.gov.
