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USDA RELEASES EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SUMMARY ON CANADIAN BSE CASES

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2005—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today released a summary of its epidemiological review of Canada’s bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) cases.

“Our technical team has completed its review and found that Canada’s epidemiological efforts were not only appropriate but exceeded levels recommended by an international team of BSE experts,” said John Clifford, APHIS deputy administrator for veterinary services. “ Canada’s animal identification program allowed for a successful, comprehensive epidemiological investigation.”

The team, composed of four USDA epidemiologists, traveled to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s headquarters in Ottawa from Jan. 24 through 28. The team’s objectives included: conducting a thorough review of Canada’s epidemiological investigations following four confirmed cases in Alberta and evaluating the possibility of a common source of exposure; evaluating the likelihood that other high-risk animals from Canada are currently present in the United States; and, evaluating any feed issues that may have resulted in exposure to U.S. cattle.

The team’s report concluded that the geographic and temporal proximity of the Canadian BSE cases suggests that they may have a common exposure point. The report also strongly suggests localized exposure through feed manufactured prior to the feed ban, or soon after its implementation.

Other findings summarized in the report suggest that only 3.4 percent of known or possible birth cohorts of the four Canadian BSE cases are believed to have entered the United States. Even at the height of BSE infection in Europe and the United Kingdom, it was extremely rare to have more than one animal in the same herd affected with BSE. USDA believes it is unlikely that any of the imported cattle would have been infected.

Finally, the report evaluated whether any feed issues could have resulted in exposure to U.S. cattle. Based on distribution patterns and shipping records, the report concluded that it is extremely unlikely that any materials from the presumed source of exposure were incorporated into feed intended for cattle in the United States.

The results of the team’s report, as well as the recent feed ban assessment, confirm that Canada has a system of effective safeguards in place to protect animal health from BSE. USDA remains confident that these measures, in conjunction with domestic safeguards, provide the utmost protection to U.S. consumers and livestock.

For a copy of the technical team’s report, visit the APHIS BSE web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse/bse.html.