Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, is a degenerative neurological disorder that affects cattle. It is caused by the accumulation of an abnormal protein called a prion in the brain and nervous system, which leads to the destruction of brain tissue and the development of sponge-like holes throughout the brain.
The disease is thought to be transmitted through the consumption of contaminated meat and bone meal, derived from the remains of infected cattle, which is then fed to other animals. BSE primarily affects adult cattle and has a long incubation period, often lasting several years before symptoms appear.
Symptoms of BSE in cattle include changes in behavior, such as nervousness or aggression, difficulty in coordination and movement, weight loss despite a normal appetite, and a decline in milk production. As the disease progresses, affected animals may suffer from an inability to stand or walk, excessive salivation, and eventually, death.
BSE is not considered to be directly transmissible between humans and cattle, but it can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of infected meat, particularly if it contains nervous system tissue such as the brain or spinal cord. In humans, the disease is known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) and causes a similar degeneration of the brain.
In response to the BSE epidemic, many countries have implemented strict regulations to prevent the spread of the disease. These include bans on the use of meat and bone meal in animal feed, import restrictions on cattle from affected regions, and active surveillance programs to detect and control the disease.
