Below is the information posted on our web site June 30. We have a direct link to the USDA's BSE page and situational
reports that will be updated weekdays regarding the epidemiological investigation and removal of cattle of interest. 
The link to the USDA's BSE web site contains fact sheets, transcripts of news briefings, releases and reports.  To access the TAHC web site, and the link to the USDA, please
go to:  http://www.tahc.state.tx.us.

Carla Everett, public information, TAHC



For immediate release---
   State-Federal Team Responds to Texas BSE Case
 
The US Department of Agriculture announced June 29 that genetic testing has verified that a 12-year-old cow that tested positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or BSE originated from a Texas beef cattle herd.  Tissues for laboratory testing were initially collected from the animal in November 2004, and the carcass was incinerated and did not enter the human food, animal feed or fertilizer supply system.  While tests in November indicated the animal did not have BSE, retesting in England in June confirmed the animal had the disease.  The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency, and USDA have jointly assigned a state-federal team to conduct the epidemiological investigation and response.
 
“The TAHC and US Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services are working with a complement of experts from federal and state animal health, food safety, public health and feed regulatory agencies to ensure the continued safety and wholesomeness of our meat supply,” said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas state veterinarian and executive director of the TAHC, the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency.  “Epidemiological investigations are thorough and focus on verifying the herd of origin, and when, where and how the animal and potentially, any herd mates, were exposed to the abnormal prion, or disease agent, that causes BSE. Additionally, epidemiology investigations trace the infected animal’s movement and herd mates.  Animals potentially exposed to the disease will be depopulated, with proper disposal.  The animals will not be introduced into the human or animal food
chain.”
 
 The USDA’s BSE testing protocol requires testing of emaciated or injured cattle, cattle that exhibit central nervous system disorder, cattle unable to rise or to walk normally, and cattle that die of unknown causes.  Since June 1, 2004, brain tissue samples from more than 394,000 cattle have been tested in the U.S. and were negative for BSE.  Of those, 38,320 were tested in Texas, Dr. Hillman noted.  BSE surveillance has been conducted in the U.S. since l990. 
 
The U.S. has taken preventive measures against the introduction of BSE since l989, when prohibitions were placed on cattle and other ruminants from BSE-affected countries, noted Dr. Hillman.  In 1997, the importation ban was extended to all of Europe.
 
Dr. Hillman said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 banned the use of ruminant-derived protein (from animals such as cattle and sheep) in feed for cattle and other ruminants. There is no evidence that BSE spreads from live animal to animal in the herd, but cattle can be exposed by eating feed that contains rendered protein from infected animals.  “These measures taken by the USDA and the FDA are safeguards that work to protect livestock, and ultimately, our meat supply,” he said.
 
                                                                                 --30--