Canada Mad Cow Probe Traces Two More To US

[Health Dr. 2]

Canada mad cow probe traces two more animals to US
17 Jan 2005 21:23:23 GMT
Source: Reuters

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Inspectors have traced two more cows from an Alberta dairy herd to the United States in their investigation into the country's second home-grown case of mad cow disease, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said on Monday.

The CFIA confirmed an eight-year-old dairy cow had bovine spongiform encephalopathy on Jan. 2. The agency has since been trying to find and test other cows born on the same farm around the same time.

The cows may have consumed contaminated feed believed to have caused the disease. Officials have said they want to kill and test related cattle, although they said the disease does not usually occur in clusters.

The CFIA identified 38 cows from the farm that may be of interest. It has now traced a total of six to the United States.

The agency has informed U.S. officials, a media relations officer for the CFIA said.

Ten other cows from the group were found in Canada and tested negative for the disease.

The CFIA is also continuing its investigation into Canada's third case of mad cow disease, confirmed on Jan. 11, in a six-year-old Alberta beef cow.

The cow was born after a 1997 ban on using protein made from cattle and other ruminants in cattle feed -- a practice thought to spread the disease.

A detailed probe into Canada's feed ban with participation from U.S. and international experts will get under way next week, the CFIA said.