Thursday, October 24, 2024

Lack of traceability in U.S. beef industry is a disgrace

Lack of traceability in U.S. beef industry is a disgrace

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay

By Steve Kay

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association supports the USDA’s new rule for animal disease traceability, but some groups and individuals continue to fight the measures.

The U.S. beef industry has struggled for much of the 36 years I have covered it to introduce a meaningful national animal traceability system. Its inability to do so is not only a disgrace but a real danger as a disease outbreak could bring the industry to its knees financially.

Various efforts to introduce a system began in earnest in the late 1980s but efforts did not really pick up until before the U.S. confirmed its first case of BSE on December 23, 2001. I was at the time a member of a public relations/media task force, one of five task forces charged with developing what was called a national animal identification system. All on my task force agreed that to be the most effective at tracing animals in the event of a disease outbreak, such a system would have to be mandatory.

We also thought that in the aftermath of the BSE case, USDA and the industry would quickly introduce such a system, in part to allow U.S. beef back into its all-important markets in Asia. How wrong we were. Agriculture secretary Ann Veneman and industry dragged their feet for a host of reasons, none of them defensible.

Fast-forward to today and the industry’s largest trade group, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), is making a new plea for action. NCBA urges all in the U.S. cattle industry to support USDA’s new rule for animal disease traceability, wrote NCBA president Mark Eisele in a recent op-ed article. The future of the industry hinges on its ability to swiftly respond to disease outbreaks. Yet some groups and individuals continue to fight the tools that could protect producers’ livelihoods, he wrote.

The most recent rule to come under fire is USDA’s animal disease traceability regulation, wrote Eisele. Imagine the chaos of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, with markets shuttered and producers frantically searching for nearly illegible “metal brite” tags in the pouring rain. This is not a future the industry can afford. Some argue that these changes are unnecessary or burdensome. The reality is that clinging to outdated ideas, practices and technology puts the entire industry at risk, he wrote.

USDA’s new rules call for the use of an electronic identification (EID) tag in breeding cattle 18 months of age and older being transported across state lines, wrote Eisele. This class of cattle has required an ID tag for more than a decade. USDA is simply changing the technology from a “metal brite” tag to an updated EID tag. Producer privacy is paramount to this effort. NCBA has long advocated for tag data to be held by private, third-party companies rather than USDA, he wrote.

Those whose only answer is “no” and those individuals and groups who would allow perfect to be the enemy of good have created a vacuum that the government is more than happy to fill, wrote Eisele. It is past time for cattle producers to create an industry-led and industry-controlled solution to disease traceability. The current system and the ability to rapidly respond to a real disease outbreak is insufficient to protect each producer and their livelihoods. Now is the time for the cattle industry to lead, not lag, he wrote.

The U.S. has not had a BSE case since May last year and it was an atypical case, so there were no trade consequences. By far the bigger disease danger now to the industry, as Eisele wrote, is if a case of foot-and-mouth is detected. The last known case was back in 1929. One can only hope that another case is not detected.


***> Lack of traceability in U.S. beef industry is a disgrace

I could not agree more, and in my opinion, it’s blatant disregard for consumer safety, for human and animal health.

Please allow me to comment and explain why.

I would kindly like to comment on these items of concern, and some other concerns of mine with relevance to both typical and atypical BSE, surveillance, testing, and feed. 

“The U.S. has not had a BSE case since May last year and it was an atypical case, so there were no trade consequences.”

“The U.S. beef industry has struggled for much of the 36 years I have covered it to introduce a meaningful national animal traceability system. Its inability to do so is not only a disgrace but a real danger as a disease outbreak could bring the industry to its knees financially.”

The U. S. has been testing so few cattle for BSE, that just by bad luck they would find one, yet they still did. Testing less than 25K annually does not find BSE, unless by luck, bad luck. year after year the U.S. only test <25k for one reason, to NOT DETECT BSE. 

The U.S. and the O.I.E. et al, have gone even further, that they have made both atypical BSE, and atypical Scrapie, a legal trading commodity for all intent and purposed, in relations to human and animal health. Neither one are reportable anymore, except for some voluntary note at the end of the year report. Yet atypical BSE and atypical Scrapie are both transmissible by oral routes. worse yet, the atypical L-type BSE is more virulent to humans, and linked to sporadic CJD, studies have shown. Please note the O.I.E. have now recognized the threat by oral route of atypical BSE to cattle in recent reports (see at the bottom). Of which, the last reported case of BSE in the U.S., last year as you stated, was the atypical L-type BSE. 

The U.S. FDA Feed Ban 589.2001, has failed terribly to date, so much so you can't even get reports on it anymore, without FOIA. MOST IMPORTANTLY, to this date, Cervid, at risk of Chronic Wasting Disease CWD, can still be fed back to ruminants including cows. sadly we know now, that Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion will transmit to cows by oral route. we know now that CWD will also transmit to Pigs and Sheep by oral routes, thus, imo, the U.S. FDA Feed Ban 589.2001 still is and increasingly, terribly flawed. 

The History of Trace-back, Trace-forward for BSE TSE Prion in the U.S. is terrible as well. i have records below.

***> PLEASE NOTE!

spontaneous/sporadic CJD in 85%+ of all human TSE, or spontaneous BSE in cattle, is a pipe dream, dreamed up by USDA/OIE et al, that has never been proven. let me repeat, NEVER BEEN PROVEN FOR ALL HUMAN OR ANIMAL TSE I.E. ATYPICAL BSE OR SPORADIC CJD! please see;

***Moreover, sporadic disease has never been observed in breeding colonies or primate research laboratories, most notably among hundreds of animals over several decades of study at the National Institutes of Health25, and in nearly twenty older animals continuously housed in our own facility.***

Even if the prevailing view is that sporadic CJD is due to the spontaneous formation of CJD prions, it remains possible that its apparent sporadic nature may, at least in part, result from our limited capacity to identify an environmental origin.


OIE Conclusions on transmissibility of atypical BSE among cattle

Given that cattle have been successfully infected by the oral route, at least for L-BSE, it is reasonable to conclude that atypical BSE is potentially capable of being recycled in a cattle population if cattle are exposed to contaminated feed. In addition, based on reports of atypical BSE from several countries that have not had C-BSE, it appears likely that atypical BSE would arise as a spontaneous disease in any country, albeit at a very low incidence in old cattle. In the presence of livestock industry practices that would allow it to be recycled in the cattle feed chain, it is likely that some level of exposure and transmission may occur. As a result, since atypical BSE can be reasonably considered to pose a potential background level of risk for any country with cattle, the recycling of both classical and atypical strains in the cattle and broader ruminant populations should be avoided.


Annex 7 (contd) AHG on BSE risk assessment and surveillance/March 2019

34 Scientific Commission/September 2019

3. Atypical BSE

The Group discussed and endorsed with minor revisions an overview of relevant literature on the risk of atypical BSE being recycled in a cattle population and its zoonotic potential that had been prepared ahead of the meeting by one expert from the Group. This overview is provided as Appendix IV and its main conclusions are outlined below. With regard to the risk of recycling of atypical BSE, recently published research confirmed that the L-type BSE prion (a type of atypical BSE prion) may be orally transmitted to calves1 . In light of this evidence, and the likelihood that atypical BSE could arise as a spontaneous disease in any country, albeit at a very low incidence, the Group was of the opinion that it would be reasonable to conclude that atypical BSE is potentially capable of being recycled in a cattle population if cattle were to be exposed to contaminated feed. Therefore, the recycling of atypical strains in cattle and broader ruminant populations should be avoided.

4. Definitions of meat-and-bone meal (MBM) and greaves


The L-type BSE prion is much more virulent in primates and in humanized mice than is the classical BSE prion, which suggests the possibility of zoonotic risk associated with the L-type BSE prion


Consumption of L-BSE–contaminated feed may pose a risk for oral transmission of the disease agent to cattle.


Thus, it is imperative to maintain measures that prevent the entry of tissues from cattle possibly infected with the agent of L-BSE into the food chain.


Atypical L-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy (L-BSE) transmission to cynomolgus macaques, a non-human primate

Fumiko Ono 1, Naomi Tase, Asuka Kurosawa, Akio Hiyaoka, Atsushi Ohyama, Yukio Tezuka, Naomi Wada, Yuko Sato, Minoru Tobiume, Ken'ichi Hagiwara, Yoshio Yamakawa, Keiji Terao, Tetsutaro Sata

Affiliations expand

PMID: 21266763

Abstract

A low molecular weight type of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (L-BSE) was transmitted to two cynomolgus macaques by intracerebral inoculation of a brain homogenate of cattle with atypical BSE detected in Japan. They developed neurological signs and symptoms at 19 or 20 months post-inoculation and were euthanized 6 months after the onset of total paralysis. Both the incubation period and duration of the disease were shorter than those for experimental transmission of classical BSE (C-BSE) into macaques. Although the clinical manifestations, such as tremor, myoclonic jerking, and paralysis, were similar to those induced upon C-BSE transmission, no premonitory symptoms, such as hyperekplexia and depression, were evident. Most of the abnormal prion protein (PrP(Sc)) was confined to the tissues of the central nervous system, as determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The PrP(Sc) glycoform that accumulated in the monkey brain showed a similar profile to that of L-BSE and consistent with that in the cattle brain used as the inoculant. PrP(Sc) staining in the cerebral cortex showed a diffuse synaptic pattern by immunohistochemistry, whereas it accumulated as fine and coarse granules and/or small plaques in the cerebellar cortex and brain stem. Severe spongiosis spread widely in the cerebral cortex, whereas florid plaques, a hallmark of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, were observed in macaques inoculated with C-BSE but not in those inoculated with L-BSE.


see full text;


''H-TYPE BSE AGENT IS TRANSMISSIBLE BY THE ORONASAL ROUTE''

This study demonstrates that the H-type BSE agent is transmissible by the oronasal route. These results reinforce the need for ongoing surveillance for classical and atypical BSE to minimize the risk of potentially infectious tissues entering the animal or human food chains.


NO doubt, TSE tainted feed was the cause for most of the BSE cases to date, BUT, what if?

WHAT if, environmental factors, through grazing TSE Prion contaminated lands and plants there from, what if this mechanism of transmission was real? through recent studies on CWD, this is a real factor of potential for spreading Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion. so what if, this was spreading atypical and typical BSE? no doubt the feed ban is still failing in the USA, and with BSE testing so low in the US (<25K annually), there really is no clue of true count of BSE in the USA, i can't speak for other countries. BUT with science showing that grazing and CWD TSE Prion, what about dirt, soil, plant, contamination? we now know that Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion of Cervid, will transmit to Cattle by oral routes, so what about orally intaking soil that is contaminated with CWD? what about other atypical strains of BSE from other species, by other routes and sources, what will that look like?

I believe that the recent cases of typical and atypical BSE are signs to come, mad cow disease never went anywhere, and by eliminating the Bovine BSE GBR Risk Assessments, enhancing them as these different strains of TSE emerged, Governments around the world went with the OIE and the USDA, they did away with the BSE GBR Risk Assessments, and developed a trade policy, to legally trade some strains of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy TSE Prion disease, we call this the BSE Minimal Risk Region Trade Policy, the legal trading of TSE Prion disease such as atypical Scrapie, and now atypical BSE, both a legal trading commodity, both of which have been shown to transmit to humans in the lab and with transmission studies to monkeys by oral routes. i don't make this stuff up. these are facts. Until we go back to the BSE GBR risk assessments, enhance them as the different atypical TSE strains emerge, you will stop nothing, and you may not be able to stop it anyway, now, due to the environment contamination around the world to these TSE Prion disease. i hope i am wrong...terry

lot of atypical BSE popping up spontaneously? or is it feed, or is it something environmentally?

Wednesday, May 24, 2023


***> WAHIS, WOAH, OIE, United States of America Bovine spongiform encephalopathy Immediate notification


https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5067


https://woahoie.blogspot.com/2023/05/wahis-woah-oie-united-states-of-america.html


https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/125/wahis-woah-oie-immediate-notification


SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023


***> Tennessee State Veterinarian Alerts Cattle Owners to Disease Detection Mad Cow atypical L-Type BSE


https://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2023/05/tennessee-state-veterinarian-alerts.html


https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/123/tennessee-veterinarian-alerts-cattle-confirmed


MAY 19, 2023


https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2023/bse


2 weeks before the announcement of this recent mad cow case in the USA, i submitted this to the APHIS et al;


***> APPRX. 2 weeks before the recent mad cow case was confirmed in the USA, in Tennessee, atypical L-Type BSE, I submitted this to the APHIS et al;


Document APHIS-2023-0027-0001 BSE Singeltary Comment Submission May 2, 2023


''said 'burden' cost, will be a heavy burden to bear, if we fail with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy BSE TSE Prion disease, that is why this information collection is so critical''...


https://www.regulations.gov/comment/APHIS-2023-0027-0002



WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2023


Ireland Atypical BSE confirmed November 3 2023


https://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2023/11/ireland-atypical-bse-confirmed-november.html


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023


Ireland Atypical BSE case, 3 progeny of case cow to be culled


https://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2023/11/ireland-atypical-bse-case-3-progeny-of.html


FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024 


Scotland Confirms a Case of typical C-BSE on a farm in Ayrshire


https://bovineprp.blogspot.com/2024/05/scotland-confirms-case-of-typical-c-bse.html


WAHIS WOAH United Kingdom Bovine spongiform encephalopathy Follow up report 2 Scotland 


REPORT PREVIEW 


United Kingdom - Bovine spongiform encephalopathy - Follow up report 2 


GENERAL INFORMATION


REPORT INFORMATION REPORT NUMBER


Follow-up report 2 REPORT ID


FUR_167478 REPORT REFERENCE


- REPORT DATE


2024/05/24 REPORT STATUS


Validated NO EVOLUTION REPORT


- EPIDEMIOLOGY SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION


Unknown or inconclusive 


EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS


Isolated, single case of classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed in a 7½- year- old indigenous cow on a beef suckler farm. The cow close to calving, had lost condition over the last two weeks and became recumbent and aggressive prior to being found dead. It was eating and drinking during the sick period. The case was disclosed during routine national statutory surveillance and testing of fallen stock cattle aged over 48 months. The animal was not presented for slaughter and did not enter the food chain. There is no threat to food safety or human health. A full epidemiological investigation is being carried out to identify relevant risk pathways for infection and any evidence to support these. All of the cohorts and offspring of this single BSE case have been identified and placed under movement restrictions. They will be culled and screened for BSE. The detection of this single case does not change the ‘controlled risk’ status for the zone of England and Wales, the ‘controlled risk’ status for the zone of Scotland and the 'negligible risk' status for the zone of Northern Ireland. The precise location of the farm has not been entered on the report to protect the farmer's identity and well-being. Update: All cohorts are culled.


Snip…see;



SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2023


Switzerland Atypical BSE detected in a cow in the canton of St. Gallen


https://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2023/07/switzerland-atypical-bse-detected-in.html


WAHIS, WOAH, OIE, REPORT Switzerland Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Atypical L-Type


Switzerland Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Atypical L-Type


Switzerland - Bovine spongiform encephalopathy - Immediate notification


https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4962


https://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2020/02/switzerland-oie-bovine-spongiform.html


Monday, March 20, 2023


WAHIS, WOAH, OIE, REPORT United Kingdom Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Atypical H-Type


https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4977


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/single-case-of-atypical-bse-confirmed-on-a-farm-in-cornwall


https://woahoie.blogspot.com/2023/03/wahis-woah-oie-report-united-kingdom.html


BRAZIL BSE START DATE 2023/01/18


BRAZIL BSE CONFIRMATION DATE 2023/02/22


BRAZIL BSE END DATE 2023/03/03


https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4918


https://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2019/06/brazil-reports-another-cases-of-mad-cow.html


SPAIN BSE START DATE 2023/01/21


SPAIN BSE CONFIRMATION DATE 2023/02/03


SPAIN BSE END DATE 2023/02/06


https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4888


https://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2023/02/spain-bovine-spongiform-encephalopathy.html


NETHERLANDS BSE START DATE 2023/02/01


NETHERLANDS BSE CONFIRMATION DATE 2023/02/01


NETHERLANDS BSE END DATE 2023/03/13


https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4876


https://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2023/02/netherlands-bovine-spongiform.html


Wednesday, May 24, 2023


***> WAHIS, WOAH, OIE, United States of America Bovine spongiform encephalopathy Immediate notification


https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5067


https://woahoie.blogspot.com/2023/05/wahis-woah-oie-united-states-of-america.html


https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/125/wahis-woah-oie-immediate-notification


SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023


***> Tennessee State Veterinarian Alerts Cattle Owners to Disease Detection Mad Cow atypical L-Type BSE


https://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2023/05/tennessee-state-veterinarian-alerts.html


https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/123/tennessee-veterinarian-alerts-cattle-confirmed


MAY 19, 2023


https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2023/bse


2 weeks before the announcement of this recent mad cow case in the USA, i submitted this to the APHIS et al;


***> APPRX. 2 weeks before the recent mad cow case was confirmed in the USA, in Tennessee, atypical L-Type BSE, I submitted this to the APHIS et al;


Document APHIS-2023-0027-0001 BSE Singeltary Comment Submission May 2, 2023


''said 'burden' cost, will be a heavy burden to bear, if we fail with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy BSE TSE Prion disease, that is why this information collection is so critical''...


https://www.regulations.gov/comment/APHIS-2023-0027-0002


https://downloads.regulations.gov/APHIS-2023-0027-0002/attachment_1.pdf


Monday, November 13, 2023

Food and Drug Administration's BSE Feed Regulation (21 CFR 589.2000) Singeltary Another Request for Update 2023


Price of TSE Prion Poker goes up substantially, all you cattle ranchers and such, better pay close attention here...terry

Transmission of the chronic wasting disease agent from elk to cattle after oronasal exposure

Justin Greenlee, Jifeng Bian, Zoe Lambert, Alexis Frese, and Eric Cassmann Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA, USA 

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of cattle to chronic wasting disease agent from elk. 

Materials and Methods: Initial studies were conducted in bovinized mice using inoculum derived from elk with various genotypes at codon 132 (MM, LM, LL). Based upon attack rates, inoculum (10% w/v brain homogenate) from an LM132 elk was selected for transmission studies in cattle. At approximately 2 weeks of age, one wild type steer (EE211) and one steer with the E211K polymorphism (EK211) were fed 1 mL of brain homogenate in a quart of milk replacer while another 1 mL was instilled intranasally. The cattle were examined daily for clinical signs for the duration of the experiment. One steer is still under observation at 71 months post-inoculation (mpi). 

Results: Inoculum derived from MM132 elk resulted in similar attack rates and incubation periods in mice expressing wild type or K211 bovine PRNP, 35% at 531 days post inoculation (dpi) and 27% at 448 dpi, respectively. Inoculum from LM132 elk had a slightly higher attack rates in mice: 45% (693 dpi) in wild type cattle PRNP and 33% (468) in K211 mice. Inoculum from LL132 elk resulted in the highest attack rate in wild type bovinized mice (53% at 625 dpi), but no K211 mice were affected at >700 days. At approximately 70 mpi, the EK211 genotype steer developed clinical signs suggestive of prion disease, depression, low head carriage, hypersalivation, and ataxia, and was necropsied. Enzyme immunoassay (IDEXX) was positive in brainstem (OD=4.00, but non-detect in retropharyngeal lymph nodes and palatine tonsil. Immunoreactivity was largely limited to the brainstem, midbrain, and cervical spinal cord with a pattern that was primarily glia-associated. 

Conclusions: Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material. 

"Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material."

=====end

Strain characterization of chronic wasting disease in bovine-PrP transgenic mice 

Conclusions: Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study. 

"Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study."

=====end


How in the hell do you make a complete recall of 27,694,240 lbs of feed that was manufactured from materials that may have been contaminated with mammalian protein, in one state, Michigan, 2006? Wonder how much was fed out?

RECALLS AND FIELD CORRECTIONS: VETERINARY MEDICINE -- CLASS II ______________________________


PRODUCT


a) CO-OP 32% Sinking Catfish, Recall # V-100-6;


b) Performance Sheep Pell W/Decox/A/N, medicated,
net wt. 50 lbs, Recall # V-101-6;


c) Pro 40% Swine Conc Meal -- 50 lb, Recall # V-102-6;


d) CO-OP 32% Sinking Catfish Food Medicated,
Recall # V-103-6;


e) "Big Jim’s" BBB Deer Ration, Big Buck Blend,
Recall # V-104-6;


f) CO-OP 40% Hog Supplement Medicated Pelleted,
Tylosin 100 grams/ton, 50 lb. bag, Recall # V-105-6;


g) Pig Starter Pell II, 18% W/MCDX Medicated 282020,
Carbadox -- 0.0055%, Recall # V-106-6;


h) CO-OP STARTER-GROWER CRUMBLES, Complete
Feed for Chickens from Hatch to 20 Weeks, Medicated,
Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate, 25 and 50 Lbs,
Recall # V-107-6;


i) CO-OP LAYING PELLETS, Complete Feed for Laying
Chickens, Recall # 108-6;


j) CO-OP LAYING CRUMBLES, Recall # V-109-6;


k) CO-OP QUAIL FLIGHT CONDITIONER MEDICATED,
net wt 50 Lbs, Recall # V-110-6;


l) CO-OP QUAIL STARTER MEDICATED, Net Wt. 50 Lbs,
Recall # V-111-6;


m) CO-OP QUAIL GROWER MEDICATED, 50 Lbs,
Recall # V-112-6


CODE 
Product manufactured from 02/01/2005 until 06/06/2006


RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
 Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc., Decatur, AL, by telephone, fax, email and visit on June 9, 2006.

FDA initiated recall is complete.


REASON


Animal and fish feeds which were possibly contaminated with ruminant based protein not labeled as "Do not feed to ruminants".


VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE


125 tons


DISTRIBUTION


AL and FL 
______________________________


PRODUCT


Bulk custom dairy feds manufactured from concentrates, Recall # V-113-6 
CODE
All dairy feeds produced between 2/1/05 and 6/16/06 and containing H. J. Baker recalled feed products.


RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Vita Plus Corp., Gagetown, MI, by visit beginning on June 21, 2006.

Firm initiated recall is complete.


REASON


The feed was manufactured from materials that may have been contaminated with mammalian protein.


VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE


27,694,240 lbs


DISTRIBUTION


MI 
______________________________


PRODUCT


Bulk custom made dairy feed, Recall # V-114-6


CODE
 None


RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Burkmann Feeds LLC, Glasgow, KY, by letter on July 14, 2006. Firm initiated recall is ongoing.


REASON


Custom made feeds contain ingredient called Pro-Lak, which may contain ruminant derived meat and bone meal.


VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE


???


DISTRIBUTION


KY

END OF ENFORCEMENT REPORT FOR AUGUST 2, 2006

###


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

P01-05 January 30, 2001 Print Media: 301-827-6242 Broadcast Media: 301-827-3434 Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA ANNOUNCES TEST RESULTS FROM TEXAS FEED LOT

Today the Food and Drug Administration announced the results of tests taken on feed used at a Texas feedlot that was suspected of containing meat and bone meal from other domestic cattle -- a violation of FDA's 1997 prohibition on using ruminant material in feed for other ruminants. Results indicate that a very low level of prohibited material was found in the feed fed to cattle.

FDA has determined that each animal could have consumed, at most and in total, five-and-one-half grams - approximately a quarter ounce -- of prohibited material. These animals weigh approximately 600 pounds.

It is important to note that the prohibited material was domestic in origin (therefore not likely to contain infected material because there is no evidence of BSE in U.S. cattle), fed at a very low level, and fed only once. The potential risk of BSE to such cattle is therefore exceedingly low, even if the feed were contaminated.

According to Dr. Bernard Schwetz, FDA's Acting Principal Deputy Commissioner, "The challenge to regulators and industry is to keep this disease out of the United States. One important defense is to prohibit the use of any ruminant animal materials in feed for other ruminant animals. Combined with other steps, like U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) ban on the importation of live ruminant animals from affected countries, these steps represent a series of protections, to keep American cattle free of BSE."

Despite this negligible risk, Purina Mills, Inc., is nonetheless announcing that it is voluntarily purchasing all 1,222 of the animals held in Texas and mistakenly fed the animal feed containing the prohibited material. Therefore, meat from those animals will not enter the human food supply. FDA believes any cattle that did not consume feed containing the prohibited material are unaffected by this incident, and should be handled in the beef supply clearance process as usual.

FDA believes that Purina Mills has behaved responsibly by first reporting the human error that resulted in the misformulation of the animal feed supplement and then by working closely with State and Federal authorities.

This episode indicates that the multi-layered safeguard system put into place is essential for protecting the food supply and that continued vigilance needs to be taken, by all concerned, to ensure these rules are followed routinely.

FDA will continue working with USDA as well as State and local officials to ensure that companies and individuals comply with all laws and regulations designed to protect the U.S. food supply.


PLEASE NOTE, USDA ET AL ONLY TESTING <25k CATTLE FOR MAD COW DISEASE, woefully inadequate, yet USDA just documented a case Atypical L-Type BSE, the most virulent strain to date...

Monday, May 22, 2023 

***> BSE TSE Prion MAD COW TESTING IN THE USA COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES? 


NOW, BE AWARE, OIE AND USDA HAVE NOW MADE ATYPICAL SCRAPIE AND ATYPICAL BSE A LEGAL TRADING COMMODITY, WITH NO REPORTING OF SAID ATYPICAL CASES, EXCEPT FOR A VOLUNTARY NOTE ON ANNUAL REPORT...i don't make this stuff up...terry

cwd scrapie pigs oral routes 

***> However, at 51 months of incubation or greater, 5 animals were positive by one or more diagnostic methods. Furthermore, positive bioassay results were obtained from all inoculated groups (oral and intracranial; market weight and end of study) suggesting that swine are potential hosts for the agent of scrapie. <*** 

>*** Although the current U.S. feed ban is based on keeping tissues from TSE infected cattle from contaminating animal feed, swine rations in the U.S. could contain animal derived components including materials from scrapie infected sheep and goats. These results indicating the susceptibility of pigs to sheep scrapie, coupled with the limitations of the current feed ban, indicates that a revision of the feed ban may be necessary to protect swine production and potentially human health. <*** 

***> Results: PrPSc was not detected by EIA and IHC in any RPLNs. All tonsils and MLNs were negative by IHC, though the MLN from one pig in the oral <6 month group was positive by EIA. PrPSc was detected by QuIC in at least one of the lymphoid tissues examined in 5/6 pigs in the intracranial <6 months group, 6/7 intracranial >6 months group, 5/6 pigs in the oral <6 months group, and 4/6 oral >6 months group. Overall, the MLN was positive in 14/19 (74%) of samples examined, the RPLN in 8/18 (44%), and the tonsil in 10/25 (40%). 

***> Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PrPSc accumulates in lymphoid tissues from pigs challenged intracranially or orally with the CWD agent, and can be detected as early as 4 months after challenge. CWD-infected pigs rarely develop clinical disease and if they do, they do so after a long incubation period. This raises the possibility that CWD-infected pigs could shed prions into their environment long before they develop clinical disease. Furthermore, lymphoid tissues from CWD-infected pigs could present a potential source of CWD infectivity in the animal and human food chains. 




Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PrPSc accumulates in lymphoid tissues from pigs challenged intracranially or orally with the CWD agent, and can be detected as early as 4 months after challenge. CWD-infected pigs rarely develop clinical disease and if they do, they do so after a long incubation period. This raises the possibility that CWD-infected pigs could shed prions into their environment long before they develop clinical disease. Furthermore, lymphoid tissues from CWD-infected pigs could present a potential source of CWD infectivity in the animal and human food chains.


CONFIDENTIAL

EXPERIMENTAL PORCINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY

LINE TO TAKE

3. If questions on pharmaceuticals are raised at the Press conference, the suggested line to take is as follows:- 

 "There are no medicinal products licensed for use on the market which make use of UK-derived porcine tissues with which any hypothetical “high risk" ‘might be associated. The results of the recent experimental work at the CSM will be carefully examined by the CSM‘s Working Group on spongiform encephalopathy at its next meeting.

DO Hagger RM 1533 MT Ext 3201


While this clearly is a cause for concern we should not jump to the conclusion that this means that pigs will necessarily be infected by bone and meat meal fed by the oral route as is the case with cattle. ...


we cannot rule out the possibility that unrecognised subclinical spongiform encephalopathy could be present in British pigs though there is no evidence for this: only with parenteral/implantable pharmaceuticals/devices is the theoretical risk to humans of sufficient concern to consider any action.


May I, at the outset, reiterate that we should avoid dissemination of papers relating to this experimental finding to prevent premature release of the information. ...


3. It is particularly important that this information is not passed outside the Department, until Ministers have decided how they wish it to be handled. ...


But it would be easier for us if pharmaceuticals/devices are not directly mentioned at all. ...


Our records show that while some use is made of porcine materials in medicinal products, the only products which would appear to be in a hypothetically ''higher risk'' area are the adrenocorticotrophic hormone for which the source material comes from outside the United Kingdom, namely America China Sweden France and Germany. The products are manufactured by Ferring and Armour. A further product, ''Zenoderm Corium implant'' manufactured by Ethicon, makes use of porcine skin - which is not considered to be a ''high risk'' tissue, but one of its uses is described in the data sheet as ''in dural replacement''. This product is sourced from the United Kingdom.....


Transmission of scrapie prions to primate after an extended silent incubation period

*** In complement to the recent demonstration that humanized mice are susceptible to scrapie, we report here the first observation of direct transmission of a natural classical scrapie isolate to a macaque after a 10-year incubation period. Neuropathologic examination revealed all of the features of a prion disease: spongiform change, neuronal loss, and accumulation of PrPres throughout the CNS.

*** This observation strengthens the questioning of the harmlessness of scrapie to humans, at a time when protective measures for human and animal health are being dismantled and reduced as c-BSE is considered controlled and being eradicated.

*** Our results underscore the importance of precautionary and protective measures and the necessity for long-term experimental transmission studies to assess the zoonotic potential of other animal prion strains.


***Transmission data also revealed that several scrapie prions propagate in HuPrP-Tg mice with efficiency comparable to that of cattle BSE. While the efficiency of transmission at primary passage was low, subsequent passages resulted in a highly virulent prion disease in both Met129 and Val129 mice.

***Transmission of the different scrapie isolates in these mice leads to the emergence of prion strain phenotypes that showed similar characteristics to those displayed by MM1 or VV2 sCJD prion.

***These results demonstrate that scrapie prions have a zoonotic potential and raise new questions about the possible link between animal and human prions.


***Moreover, sporadic disease has never been observed in breeding colonies or primate research laboratories, most notably among hundreds of animals over several decades of study at the National Institutes of Health25, and in nearly twenty older animals continuously housed in our own facility.***

Even if the prevailing view is that sporadic CJD is due to the spontaneous formation of CJD prions, it remains possible that its apparent sporadic nature may, at least in part, result from our limited capacity to identify an environmental origin.



O.05: Transmission of prions to primates after extended silent incubation periods: Implications for BSE and scrapie risk assessment in human populations 

*** We recently observed the direct transmission of a natural classical scrapie isolate to macaque after a 10-year silent incubation period, 

***with features similar to some reported for human cases of sporadic CJD, albeit requiring fourfold long incubation than BSE. Scrapie, as recently evoked in humanized mice (Cassard, 2014), 

***is the third potentially zoonotic PD (with BSE and L-type BSE), 

***thus questioning the origin of human sporadic cases. 

============== 

PRION 2015 CONFERENCE


PRION 2016 TOKYO

Saturday, April 23, 2016

SCRAPIE WS-01: Prion diseases in animals and zoonotic potential 2016

Prion. 10:S15-S21. 2016 ISSN: 1933-6896 1933-690X 

WS-01: Prion diseases in animals and zoonotic potential

Transmission of the different scrapie isolates in these mice leads to the emergence of prion strain phenotypes that showed similar characteristics to those displayed by MM1 or VV2 sCJD prion. 

These results demonstrate that scrapie prions have a zoonotic potential and raise new questions about the possible link between animal and human prions. 


Tuesday, December 16, 2014 

Evidence for zoonotic potential of ovine scrapie prions 

Hervé Cassard,1, n1 Juan-Maria Torres,2, n1 Caroline Lacroux,1, Jean-Yves Douet,1, Sylvie L. Benestad,3, Frédéric Lantier,4, Séverine Lugan,1, Isabelle Lantier,4, Pierrette Costes,1, Naima Aron,1, Fabienne Reine,5, Laetitia Herzog,5, Juan-Carlos Espinosa,2, Vincent Beringue5, & Olivier Andréoletti1, Affiliations Contributions Corresponding author Journal name: Nature Communications 

Volume: 5, Article number: 5821 DOI: doi:10.1038/ncomms6821 Received 07 August 2014 Accepted 10 November 2014 Published 16 December 2014 

Abstract 

Although Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is the cause of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans, the zoonotic potential of scrapie prions remains unknown. Mice genetically engineered to overexpress the human prion protein (tgHu) have emerged as highly relevant models for gauging the capacity of prions to transmit to humans. These models can propagate human prions without any apparent transmission barrier and have been used used to confirm the zoonotic ability of BSE. Here we show that a panel of sheep scrapie prions transmit to several tgHu mice models with an efficiency comparable to that of cattle BSE. 

***The serial transmission of different scrapie isolates in these mice led to the propagation of prions that are phenotypically identical to those causing sporadic CJD (sCJD) in humans. 

***These results demonstrate that scrapie prions have a zoonotic potential and raise new questions about the possible link between animal and human prions. 

Subject terms: Biological sciences• Medical research At a glance


why do we not want to do TSE transmission studies on chimpanzees $ 5. A positive result from a chimpanzee challenged severly would likely create alarm in some circles even if the result could not be interpreted for man. I have a view that all these agents could be transmitted provided a large enough dose by appropriate routes was given and the animals kept long enough. Until the mechanisms of the species barrier are more clearly understood it might be best to retain that hypothesis. 

snip... R. BRADLEY 


1: J Infect Dis 1980 Aug;142(2):205-8 

Oral transmission of kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and scrapie to nonhuman primates

Gibbs CJ Jr, Amyx HL, Bacote A, Masters CL, Gajdusek DC. 

Kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease of humans and scrapie disease of sheep and goats were transmitted to squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) that were exposed to the infectious agents only by their nonforced consumption of known infectious tissues. The asymptomatic incubation period in the one monkey exposed to the virus of kuru was 36 months; that in the two monkeys exposed to the virus of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was 23 and 27 months, respectively; and that in the two monkeys exposed to the virus of scrapie was 25 and 32 months, respectively. Careful physical examination of the buccal cavities of all of the monkeys failed to reveal signs or oral lesions. One additional monkey similarly exposed to kuru has remained asymptomatic during the 39 months that it has been under observation. 

snip... 

The successful transmission of kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and scrapie by natural feeding to squirrel monkeys that we have reported provides further grounds for concern that scrapie-infected meat may occasionally give rise in humans to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. PMID: 6997404


Recently the question has again been brought up as to whether scrapie is transmissible to man. This has followed reports that the disease has been transmitted to primates. One particularly lurid speculation (Gajdusek 1977) conjectures that the agents of scrapie, kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and transmissible encephalopathy of mink are varieties of a single "virus". The U.S. Department of Agriculture concluded that it could "no longer justify or permit scrapie-blood line and scrapie-exposed sheep and goats to be processed for human or animal food at slaughter or rendering plants" (ARC 84/77)" The problem is emphasised by the finding that some strains of scrapie produce lesions identical to the once which characterise the human dementias" Whether true or not. the hypothesis that these agents might be transmissible to man raises two considerations. First, the safety of laboratory personnel requires prompt attention. Second, action such as the "scorched meat" policy of USDA makes the solution of the acrapie problem urgent if the sheep industry is not to suffer grievously. snip... 76/10.12/4.6 


Nature. 1972 Mar 10;236(5341):73-4. 

Transmission of scrapie to the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) 

Gibbs CJ Jr, Gajdusek DC. Nature 236, 73 - 74 (10 March 1972); doi:10.1038/236073a0 

Transmission of Scrapie to the Cynomolgus Monkey (Macaca fascicularis) 

C. J. GIBBS jun. & D. C. GAJDUSEK National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 

SCRAPIE has been transmitted to the cynomolgus, or crab-eating, monkey (Macaca fascicularis) with an incubation period of more than 5 yr from the time of intracerebral inoculation of scrapie-infected mouse brain. The animal developed a chronic central nervous system degeneration, with ataxia, tremor and myoclonus with associated severe scrapie-like pathology of intensive astroglial hypertrophy and proliferation, neuronal vacuolation and status spongiosus of grey matter. The strain of scrapie virus used was the eighth passage in Swiss mice (NIH) of a Compton strain of scrapie obtained as ninth intracerebral passage of the agent in goat brain, from Dr R. L. Chandler (ARC, Compton, Berkshire).





Detection of classical BSE prions in asymptomatic cows after inoculation with atypical/Nor98 scrapie

* Marina Betancor, Belén Marín, Alicia Otero, Carlos Hedman, Antonio Romero, Tomás Barrio, Eloisa Sevilla, Jean-Yves Douet, Alvina Huor, Juan José Badiola, Olivier Andréoletti & Rosa Bolea  * Veterinary Research volume 54, Article number: 89 (2023) 
 Abstract

The emergence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prions from atypical scrapie has been recently observed upon experimental transmission to rodent and swine models. This study aimed to assess whether the inoculation of atypical scrapie could induce BSE-like disease in cattle. Four calves were intracerebrally challenged with atypical scrapie. Animals were euthanized without clinical signs of prion disease and tested negative for PrPSc accumulation by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. However, an emergence of BSE-like prion seeding activity was detected during in vitro propagation of brain samples from the inoculated animals. These findings suggest that atypical scrapie may represent a potential source of BSE infection in cattle.

Snip…

Further in vivo experiments challenging different mouse lines have been started in order to confirm the infectivity of the PMCA products obtained in this study. However, in conclusion, our findings show that the propagation of atypical scrapie in cattle leads to the emergence of BSE-like seeding activity. This is a concerning issue with far-reaching implications for public health and food safety. The possibility of interspecies transmission of prion diseases and the emergence of new prion strains highlight the critical need for continued surveillance and monitoring of these diseases in both animal and human populations. Early detection of prion diseases is crucial, and highly sensitive detection techniques such as PMCA can play an important role in this regard.


Cattle with the EK211 PRNP polymorphism are susceptible to the H-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent from either E211K or wild type donors after oronasal inoculation

Justin J. Greenleea, Eric D. Cassmanna, S. Jo Moorea,b, and M. Heather West Greenleec

aVirus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, ARS, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA; bOak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN, US; cDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, US

Aims: In 2006, a case of H-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy (H-BSE) was reported in a cow with a previously unreported prion protein polymorphism (E211K). The E211K polymorphism is heritable and homologous to the E200K mutation in humans that is the most frequent PRNP mutation associated with familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Although the prevalence of the E211K polymorphism is low, cattle carrying the K211 allele develop H-type BSE with a rapid onset after experimental inoculation by the intracranial route. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the agents of H-type BSE or H-type BSE associated with the E211K polymorphism transmit to wild type cattle or cattle with the K211 allele after oronasal exposure.

Material and Methods: Wild type (EE211) or heterozygous (EK211) cattle were oronasally inoculated with the H-BSE agent from either the US 2004 case (wild type donor; n = 3) or from the US 2006 case with the E211K polymorphism (n = 4). Cattle were observed daily throughout the course of the experiment for the development of clinical signs. When signs were noted, animals were euthanized and necropsied. Cattle were confirmed positive for abnormal BSE prions by enzyme immunoassay (EIA; Idexx HerdChek BSE Ag Test), anti-PrP immunohistochemistry (IHC) on brainstem, and microscopic examination for vacuolation.

Results: Three-out-of-four (75%) calves with the EK211 genotype developed clinical signs of H-BSE including inattentiveness, loss of body condition, weakness, ataxia, and muscle fasciculations and were euthanized. Two of the positive EK211 steers received H-BSE US 2004 inoculum (Incubation Period (IP): 59.3 and 72.3 months) while the other positive steer received the E211K H-BSE inoculum (IP: 49.7 months). EIA confirmed that abundant misfolded protein (O.D. 2.57–4.0) in the brainstem, and IHC demonstrated PrPScthroughout the brain. All wild type recipient cattle and a single EK211 steer remained asymptomatic for the duration of the experiment (approximately 7 years post-inoculation) and no abnormal prion protein was detected in these cattle by EIA.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the H-type BSE agent is transmissible by the oronasal route. Cattle with the EK211 genotype are oronasally susceptible to small doses of the H-BSE agent from either EK211 or EE211 (wild type) donors. Wild-type EE211 cattle remained asymptomatic for the duration of the experiment with this small dose (0.1 g) of inoculum. These results reinforce the need for ongoing surveillance for classical and atypical BSE to minimize the risk of potentially infectious tissues entering the animal or human food chains.

Funded by: US Department of Agriculture


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

EFSA TSE Report 2022 First published 28 November 2023 The European Union summary report on surveillance for the presence of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) in 2022


WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024

GAO-02-183 Mad Cow Disease: Improvements in the Animal Feed Ban and Other Regulatory Areas Would Strengthen U.S. Prevention Efforts February 26, 2002


Executive Summary In June 2005, an inconclusive bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) sample from November 2004, that had originally been classified as negative on the immunohistochemistry test, was confirmed positive on SAF immunoblot (Western blot). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) identified the herd of origin for the index cow in Texas; that identification was confirmed by DNA analysis. USDA, in close cooperation with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), established an incident command post (ICP) and began response activities according to USDA’s BSE Response Plan of September 2004. Response personnel removed at-risk cattle and cattle of interest (COI) from the index herd, euthanized them, and tested them for BSE; all were negative. USDA and the State extensively traced all at-risk cattle and COI that left the index herd. The majority of these animals entered rendering and/or slaughter channels well before the investigation began. USDA’s response to the Texas finding was thorough and effective.

snip...

Trace Herd 3 The owner of Trace Herd 3 was identified as possibly having received an animal of interest. The herd was placed under hold order on 7/27/05. The herd inventory was conducted on 7/28/05. The animal of interest was not present within the herd, and the hold order was released on 7/28/05. The person who thought he sold the animal to the owner of Trace Herd 3 had no records and could not remember who else he might have sold the cow to. Additionally, a search of GDB for all cattle sold through the markets by that individual did not result in a match to the animal of interest. The animal of interest traced to this herd was classified as untraceable because all leads were exhausted.

Trace Herd 4 The owner of Trace Herd 4 was identified as having received one of the COI through an order buyer. Trace Herd 4 was placed under hold order on 7/29/05. A complete herd inventory was conducted on 8/22/05 and 8/23/05. There were 233 head of cattle that were examined individually by both State and Federal personnel for all man-made identification and brands. The animal of interest was not present within the herd. Several animals were reported to have died in the herd sometime after they arrived on the premises in April 2005. A final search of GDB records yielded no further results on the eartag of interest at either subsequent market sale or slaughter. With all leads having been exhausted, this animal of interest has been classified as untraceable. The hold order on Trace Herd 4 was released on 8/23/05.

Trace Herd 5 The owner of Trace Herd 5 was identified as having received two COI and was placed under hold order on 8/1/05. Trace Herd 5 is made up of 67 head of cattle in multiple pastures. During the course of the herd inventory, the owner located records that indicated that one of the COI, a known birth cohort, had been sold to Trace Herd 8 where she was subsequently found alive. Upon completion of the herd inventory, the other animal of interest was not found within the herd. A GDB search of all recorded herd tests conducted on Trace Herd 5 and all market sales by the owner failed to locate the identification tag of the animal of interest and she was subsequently classified as untraceable due to all leads having been exhausted. The hold order on Trace Herd 5 was released on 8/8/05.

Trace Herd 6 The owner of Trace Herd 6 was identified as possibly having received an animal of interest and was placed under hold order on 8/1/05. This herd is made up of 58 head of cattle on two pastures. A herd inventory was conducted and the animal of interest was not present within the herd. The owner of Trace Herd 6 had very limited records and was unable to provide further information on where the cow might have gone after he purchased her from the livestock market. A search of GDB for all cattle sold through the markets by that individual did not result in a match to the animal of interest. Additionally, many of the animals presented for sale by the owner of the herd had been re-tagged at the market effectually losing the traceability of the history of that animal prior to re-tagging. The animal of interest traced to this herd was classified as untraceable due to all leads having been exhausted. The hold order on Trace Herd 6 was released on 8/3/05.

Trace Herd 7 The owner of Trace Herd 7 was identified as having received an animal of interest and was placed under hold order on 8/1/05. Trace Herd 7 contains 487 head of cattle on multiple pastures in multiple parts of the State, including a unit kept on an island. The island location is a particularly rough place to keep cattle and the owner claimed to have lost 22 head on the island in 2004 due to liver flukes. Upon completion of the herd inventory, the animal of interest was not found present within Trace Herd 7. A GDB search of all recorded herd tests conducted on Trace Herd 7 and all market sales by the owner failed to locate the identification tag of the animal of interest. The cow was subsequently classified as untraceable. It is quite possible though that she may have died within the herd, especially if she belonged to the island unit. The hold order on Trace Herd 7 was released on 8/8/05.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse/epi-updates/bse_final_epidemiology_report.pdf

NEW URL LINK;


Snip…see;

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023

The Mad Cow That Stole Christmas, 20 Years Later


***> USA 50 State Emergency BSE Conference Call 2001 <***


The abandoned UK factory left to rot after disease-ravaged cows were destroyed there

By ZAK GARNER-PURKIS, Investigations Editor

04:00, Sun, Jun 2, 2024


SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023

Abandoned factory ‘undoubtedly’ contains dormant Mad Cow Disease that could threaten humans, Thruxted Mill, Queniborough CJD


Tuesday, May 30, 2023 

World Organisation for Animal Health 90th General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates BSE TSE Prion 2023


Friday, April 26, 2024 

Use of electronic ear tags as official identification in Cattle and Bison Docket APHIS-2021-0020 RIN 0579-AE64 


FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024 

National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center Cases Examined1 April 8th 2024 


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023

CREUTZFELDT JAKOB DISEASE TSE PRION DISEASE UPDATE USA DECEMBER 2023


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2023

The role of environmental factors on sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease mortality: evidence from an age-period-cohort analysis


MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023

2023 CDC REPORTS CJD TSE Prion 5 cases per million in persons 55 years of age or older


MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2023 

Change in Epidemiology of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in the US, 2007-2020 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2023

The role of environmental factors on sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease mortality: evidence from an age-period-cohort analysis



2001 Singeltary on CJD

February 14, 2001

Diagnosis and Reporting of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Terry S. Singeltary, Sr

Author Affiliations

JAMA. 2001;285(6):733-734. doi:10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-285-6-jlt0214 

To the Editor: In their Research Letter, Dr Gibbons and colleagues1 reported that the annual US death rate due to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) has been stable since 1985. These estimates, however, are based only on reported cases, and do not include misdiagnosed or preclinical cases. It seems to me that misdiagnosis alone would drastically change these figures. An unknown number of persons with a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease in fact may have CJD, although only a small number of these patients receive the postmortem examination necessary to make this diagnosis. Furthermore, only a few states have made CJD reportable. Human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies should be reportable nationwide and internationally.



FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 

CJD TSE Prion Questionnaire USA, UK, and the history there from, have you filled out this questionnaire? 

if not, why not?


CJD TSE Prion Questionnaire USA, UK, Singeltary

CJD FOUNDATION Questionnaire


UK CJD Questionnaire


cjd questionnaire 1979


RE: re-Human Prion Diseases in the United States part 2 flounder replied to flounder on 02 Jan 2010 at 21:26 GMT I would kindly like to add to my initial concerns, something I brought up years ago, and I believe that still hold true today, more so even than when I first stated these concerns in 2003 ;

***> routine passive mortality CJD surveillance USA ?

***> THIS has been proven not to be very useful in the U.K.;

THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CJD RG WILL 1984 (182 PAGES)

snip...

One reason for this was the _inaccuracy_ in coding of cases correctly certified as CJD Coding is carried out by staff who are not medically qualified and it is not surprising that coding errors occur in the processing of large numbers of certificates. In 1982, 12,000 certificates per week were processed at the office of population censuses and surveys by 15 coders and 6 checkers (Alderson et al., 1983). The occurrence of both inter- and intra-observer coding errors has been described (Curb et al., 1983) and the _inaccuracies_ of BOTH certification and coding discovered in this study _support_ the introduction of a more accurate system of death certificates and a more detailed and specific coding system...

snip...


Draft Proposal For The Monitoring of Creutzfeldt-Kakob Disease 1989 Dr. R. Will

snip...

IDENTIFICATION OF CASES

Cases of CJD may be identified from death certificates, but this alone is unlikely to provide adequate monitoring. ERRORS are made in certification and diagnosis; in the Oxford study death certificates were obtained on a series of known confirmed cases and CJD was mentioned in only 66% of certificates. In another series of 175 certified cases, 42 patients were judged not to have suffered from CJD after examination of case notes (7)...

full text;


CJD Questionnaire 

F. MEDICATIONS, has Subject taken any medications regularly, (if yes, record the date, name of the medication, the reason for taking it, and route of administration) prompt for prescription drugs, including insulin and type. Prompt for hormone therapy or nutritional supplements including oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy: Prompt for homeopathic/herbal therapy: Prompt for eye drops SUMMARY OF ABOVE RESPONSES; HAS THE SUBJECT BEEN EXPOSED TO ONE OF THE MEDICATIONS OF BOVINE OR OVINE ORIGIN, AND OR ANY DESICCATED ANIMAL ORIGIN? G. Has Subject ever been tested for allergy using needles? H. Has Subject ever received a treatment involving a course of injections? (If yes, record year, name of therapy, frequency, reason)


NOT to open up old wounds, but here is my 23 years of endeavors to get the USA to have a CJD Questionnaire for every family of a person whom died of cjd tse prion in the USA in every State, pertaining to real questions of all the potential routes of CJD in that questionnaire. seems i have failed terribly. there was great debate, much anguish, and i did take it personally, when others took credit for what i had been trying to get done. but this was long ago, and today the CJD Foundation seems to be working hard to change there old ways, and seem to be looking to find the routes of sporadic cjd as well. this is just that history, like it or not...kind regards, terry

THE MAKING OF THE USA CJD QUESTIONNAIRE







MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 

Professor John Collinge on tackling prion diseases sCJD around 1 in 5000 deaths worldwide

“The best-known human prion disease is sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), a rapidly progressive dementia which accounts for around 1 in 5000 deaths worldwide.”


Singeltary sCJD


AS implied in the Inset 25 we must not _ASSUME_ that transmission of BSE to other species will invariably present pathology typical of a scrapie-like disease.

snip...



Terry S. Singeltary Sr.