The Emergence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Related Diseases
1998
The Emergence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Related Diseases
Sample size: 170000
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Sir John Pattison
Primary Institution: Medical School of University College London
Hypothesis
What is the impact of BSE on cattle and its potential risk to human health?
Conclusion
The BSE epidemic in the UK has declined significantly due to a ruminant feed ban, but concerns about human health risks remain.
Supporting Evidence
- Over 170,000 cases of BSE were reported in the UK by the end of 1997.
- A ruminant feed ban in 1988 led to a rapid decline in BSE cases.
- New variant CJD cases have been linked to BSE, with 26 cases reported in the UK.
Takeaway
BSE is a disease in cattle that can make them very sick, and a ban on certain animal feed helped reduce the number of sick cows.
Methodology
Epidemiologic studies and retrospective analysis of cattle cases.
Limitations
The effectiveness of the feed ban was not complete, as some cases of BSE still occurred after the ban.
Participant Demographics
Cattle in the United Kingdom, with some cases in exotic zoo animals and domestic cats.
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