
Single case of atypical BSE found in cow in Essex
Officials said there was no risk to public health or food safety and the animal was not destined to enter the food chain.
Atypical BSE is a naturally occurring and non-contagious brain disease and occurs spontaneously, but rarely, in cattle, officials said.
It is distinct from classical BSE which is linked to contaminated animal feed, and was responsible for the UK's 'mad cow disease' outbreak in the 1980s and 1990s that led to the culling of millions of cattle and caused fatal variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) in people.
Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: 'A single case of atypical BSE has been confirmed on a farm in Essex.
'The animal died on farm and was tested as part of our strict routine controls and surveillance regime.
'Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously and sporadically occurring, non-contagious disease which is believed to occur at a very low level in all cattle populations.
'This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working.'
Dr James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the Food Standards Agency said: 'There is no food safety risk.
'There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity.
'Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Agency official veterinarians and meat hygiene inspectors working in all abattoirs in England will continue to ensure that the safety of consumers remains the top priority.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Holiday-makers face £5,000 for buying sandwiches at Duty Free on way home
Brits have been warned they could face a £5,000 fine and prosecution if they bring two common items back into the UK from their summer holiday - even if they were purchased at duty free British holidaymakers have been cautioned they could be hit with a hefty £5,000 penalty and face prosecution for bringing back two everyday items from their summer getaway - even if purchased duty-free. Travellers are now prohibited from returning with untreated meat and dairy products from overseas in fresh measures designed to halt the spread of Foot and Mouth disease. This means it's now against the law to transport lamb, pork, mutton and goat meat along with any products containing them, including sandwiches. The restriction also covers cheese, chorizo, salami, serrano ham, yoghurt, butter, milk, and sandwiches featuring any of these components. The prohibition extends to items that are packaged or purchased at airports, reports the Express. Foot and Mouth disease is described as a "highly contagious viral disease" capable of killing cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed livestock. The infection can be transmitted through animal products and spreads rapidly, authorities have cautioned. A recent surge of cases affecting Hungary, Austria and Germany has prompted the UK's chief veterinarian to urge Britons to adhere to the fresh regulations. The illness can also trigger catastrophic economic consequences, with the Foot and Mouth crisis in 2001 estimated to have cost £15 billion in disease control expenses alone. Any passengers discovered with the prohibited goods must hand them over at the border, or risk having them confiscated and destroyed. In certain circumstances, individuals could face a £5,000 fine in England, or prosecution throughout Great Britain. The ban, introduced in April, is set to remain until the "personal import of affected products no longer poses a significant biosecurity risk to GB". However, the restrictions do not apply to those arriving into Great Britain from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, has urged holidaymakers to help protect farmers. She said: "I know it is disappointing not to be able to bring back produce from your holidays, but please avoid temptation." Middlemiss further added: "This highly contagious disease causes considerable suffering to livestock and has a devastating economic and personal impact on farmers, who lose their prized animals." On 24 July, Baroness Hayman, the biosecurity minister, said: "We are asking the public to take this seriously. Do not bring prohibited animal or plant products into the country-doing so puts farmers' livelihoods at risk." She also mentioned that the ban reflects a "clear determination to safeguard our borders" and "maintaining the integrity of our biosecurity against Foot and Mouth disease is essential". Symptoms of Foot and Mouth disease vary depending on the animal, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue, a fever, reluctance to feed, and lameness. Meanwhile, in pigs and sheep, the signs are usually lameness and blistering. Farmers who suspect their livestock may have Foot and Mouth disease are urged to report it immediately by dialling 03000 200 301 in England, 0300 303 8268 in Wales, or contacting the local Field Services Office in Scotland.


BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Shellfish bed at Heacham is closed due to bacteria levels
An area where shellfish are harvested has been temporarily closed after bacteria levels were found to exceed "permitted" beds at Stubborn Sands, Heacham, have been closed to commercial harvesting, King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council council also warned members of the public not to collect shellfish, in particular cockles, "as doing so may pose a risk to human health".According to a council spokesman, the high bacteria levels were detected during monthly sampling of the shellfish beds for The authority posted a notice on its website which said: "As part of the council's routine shellfish sampling programme for the classification of shellfish beds, a recent sample taken from the shellfish bed at Heacham known as Stubborn Sands INNER, has returned bacterial levels exceeding the permitted threshold."It said the beds would routinely reopen after "two consecutive satisfactory results" were taken, but would now remain closed until was "at least", in part due to "a seasonal closure in August" which had taken place for the past two years due to "historic poor" test results in the summer month. The area affected impacts a private fishery and those with rights to the Wash fishing crews were "unaffected by this closure", the council spokesman harvesting of shellfish that occurs within the borough is regulated through the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and borough council's role is to ensure harvested shellfish come from areas monitored and classified in accordance with beach at Heacham near Hunstanton has been classified as poor by the Environment Agency since 2021, with the cause of the problem being disputed among experts and locals. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.


Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Do NOT eat' warning to Scots shoppers as major UK supermarket issues urgent recall over lethal health risk
AN URGENT "do not eat" warning has been issued to Scots after a major UK supermarket recalled a popular product. Waitrose has recalled a popular ready meal over fears that it could pose a lethal health risk. Shoppers have been urged not to eat Waitrose's Indian Takeaway for two as it contains ingredients which are not mentioned on the packaging. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) revealed that some of the ready meals have been "mispacked" with spring rolls. Which means the ingredients in the spring rolls are not included on the product's label. And this could pose a serious allergy risk to anyone who is allergic to sesame or soya. The health company released a statement which said: "Waitrose and Partners is recalling Waitrose Indian Takeaway for two because some packs have been mispacked with spring rolls, which contain sesame and soya, which are not mentioned on the label. "This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to sesame and/or soya." The recall affects products with a pack size of 1412g and a use by date of July 25, 2025. The FSA urged people to return the products to the store they purchased them from for a full refund. Waitrose's recall notice instructs customers: "Do not consume. Package up item. "Return the product to your local Waitrose and Partners Branch for a refund." 'Do not eat' warning issued for much-loved Scots brand Customers can also contact Waitrose Customer Care on 0800 188 844, option 4, for more information. Waitrose's Indian Takeaway isn't the only product to be urgently recalled recently. On Monday, we revealed that a Scottish firm pulled 13 jams from shop shelves over fears that they may contain sulphites. Sarah Gray's, a food company based in Cupar, Fife, produces a range of homemade preserves, chutneys and marmalades which are made using local ingredients. In an allergy alert published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the strawberry and champagne/prosecco jams may pose a possible health risk due to the presence of sulphites, an ingredient which is not mentioned on the packaging. The products are unsuitable for anyone with a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and sulphites. Anyone who has purchased the products and has a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide or sulphites has been told not to eat them. And last month, a popular condiment was recalled in Scotland over fears it could cause "serious" food poisoning. Shoppers were warned not to eat Trotter's Fresh Wild Garlic Pesto after the FSA deemed it to be "unsafe".