Mad cow disease case found in UK - this is what we know
The Government said there was no risk to public health
A non-contagious case of what is known as 'mad cow disease' has been identified on a British farm
(Image: PA )
A case of what is known as 'mad cow disease' has been identified on a British farm. The discovery of a non-contagious case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was identified on a farm in Essex, leading to the animal being humanely culled, according to the Government.
The Government has said there is no risk to public health, as it was not intended to enter the food chain.
It was an 'atypical' strand of the disease, according to the Animal and Plant Health Agency, meaning it will not affect food safety.
Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss explained how the animal was tested as part of its "strict routine controls and surveillance regime."
The cow was humanely culled after showing symptoms and subsequently tested positive. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Only one case was identified by the agency, and had occurred 'spontaneously'.
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In the 1990s, an epidemic of BSE saw millions of cattle culled in the UK.
Ms Middlemiss said: "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."
BSE mainly affects cattle and can be detected by looking closely for behavioural changes.
Other things to look out for include incoordination and nervousness or aggression.
The latest incident comes just months after a single case of BSE was detected at a farm in Scotland.
Article continues below
The disease was identified on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway in December last year.
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