Canada's Fourth BSE Case Likely from Contaminated Feed

February 2, 2006 (Updated March 6, 2006) - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has concluded its investigation into the fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) confirmed on January 23, 2006, in a six-year-old cross-bred cow born and raised in Alberta, Canada. No part of the animal entered the human food or animal feed systems.

The investigation traced two of the affected animal's offspring and 156 cattle born on the farm of origin within 12 months before and after the affected animal's birth. No additional cases of the disease were detected during the investigation.

The CFIA considered several potential sources of infection, of which contaminated feed was the most probable. Investigators examined what the affected animal may have consumed early in its life when cattle are most susceptible to the BSE agent. Although a definitive origin could not be confirmed, the CFIA believes that the animal's feed was likely contaminated during its manufacture, transport, or storage. This conclusion is consistent with the experiences of most BSE-affected countries where the disease continues to be detected, in diminishing numbers, in animals born after the implementation of feed controls. In 1997, the Canadian government banned cattle from consuming feed containing ruminant proteins.

The latest finding was not unexpected and was identified through Canada's national surveillance program, which has tested over 87,000 high-risk animals since 2003. The geographic location and age of this animal are consistent with the three Canadian cases previously detected.

"Although the first evidence of BSE in the Canadian herd was in May 2003 and this recent animal would have become infected with the disease prior to that time, this case does support the need for Canada to continue to move towards enhancing the current feed ban," CFIA stated in a earlier press release. "In December 2004, there was a formal call for comments on the draft regulations through Canada Gazette, which have been the subject of extensive consultations with the provinces and industry. The CFIA has completed its analysis and is prepared to provide advice to the government on next steps."

CFIA reiterated that this latest case is consistent with a low level of disease and does not indicate an increased risk of BSE in Canada.


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