Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Background and Current Concerns
Author Information
Author(s): Paul Brown, Robert G. Will, Raymond Bradley, David M. Asher, Linda Detwiler
Primary Institution: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
Hypothesis
What are the origins and implications of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and its link to Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD)?
Conclusion
The study highlights the link between BSE in cattle and the emergence of vCJD in humans, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance and preventive measures.
Supporting Evidence
- BSE has affected nearly 200,000 cattle in the UK since 1986.
- Human cases of vCJD have been linked to the consumption of contaminated beef products.
- Surveillance programs have been established to monitor CJD cases in the UK and Europe.
Takeaway
BSE, or mad cow disease, can spread to humans and cause a serious illness called vCJD, so it's important to be careful about what we feed animals.
Methodology
The article reviews historical data, surveillance reports, and epidemiological studies related to BSE and vCJD.
Limitations
The study does not provide new experimental data but relies on existing literature and surveillance data.
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