Q&A on BSE

CFIG: What is the age of the animal?

CFIA : An investigation is underway to confirm the age of the animal.

CFIG: How did the animal become infected?

CFIA : The CFIA is currently investigating the finding. Part of that investigation will seek to uncover the history of the animal and how it may have become infected.

CFIG: When was the CFIA alerted to the potential case?

CFIA : Alberta reported a non-negative sample to the CFIA on February 7, 2015. The test was confirmed by the CFIA on February 11, 2015.

CFIG: How was the animal discovered?

CFIA : The animal was sampled on farm by a private veterinarian. Samples were taken on February 4 and submitted to a provincial laboratory in accordance with the guidelines of Canada’s BSE surveillance program. The samples were tested by the provincial lab on February 6 and repeated on February 7. Both tests were non-negative. As per established protocol, the CFIA was alerted of the non-negative results on February 7. The confirmatory test was conducted by the CFIA BSE reference laboratory.

CFIG: How does the CFIA announce federally reportable diseases such as BSE?

CFIA : The CFIA has been announcing new findings of federally reportable diseases via a routine monthly posting on its website since 2009. The posting is usually done around the tenth of every month. Those who are interested can subscribe to receive e-mail notifications every time reportable disease information is updated on the CFIA website.

In addition to providing monthly reports, the CFIA notifies the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of any detections of reportable, foreign, or newly emerging diseases which pose significant health or economic risks.

CFIG: What is BSE and when was it first known in Canada?

CFIA : BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system of cattle. Although the exact cause of BSE is unknown, it is associated with the presence of an abnormal protein called a prion. There is no treatment, vaccine or live animal test currently available for the disease.

In Canada, BSE has been a reportable disease since 1990 under the Health of Animals Regulations. The first case in Canada was found in 2003. All suspects must be reported to the CFIA.

CFIG: Do BSE-infected cattle pose a food safety risk to people?

CFIA : BSE poses an extremely low risk to human health in Canada.

BSE is linked to a rare, fatal disease in humans called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD). In Canada, there have been two cases of vCJD, these cases were linked to the consumption of beef from a foreign country.

CFIG: What safeguards are in place to protect Canadians from the human risks posed by BSE infected cattle?

CFIA : Research has shown that BSE concentrates in certain parts of infected cattle. These tissues, known as specified risk material (SRM), are removed from all cattle slaughtered for human consumption.

This measure is internationally recognized as the most effective way to protect human health from BSE. No cow that has tested positive for BSE in Canada has entered the food chain.

CFIG: Does a reported BSE case have any international trade implications?

CFIA : Trade decisions should be based on sound science. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines allow for live cattle and beef products to be safely traded, provided that countries have taken appropriate steps to manage BSE, such as feed controls and surveillance.

Canada continues to effectively manage BSE through a series of integrated safeguards designed to protect both human and animal health. These include prohibiting risk materials from entering the human food and animal feed chains and testing cattle for BSE.

CFIG: Have any countries restricted imports of Canadian beef?

CFIA : Following the protocol reached between Canada and South Korea to restore access for Canadian beef in 2012, South Korea suspends importation of Canadian beef, pending further information on the confirmed BSE find.

CFIG: Do you expect to find more infected animals?

CFIA : The CFIA is conducting an investigation into the finding which will uncover the history of the animal.

The investigation will focus in on the feed supplied to this animal during the first year of its life. The CFIA will trace out all animals of equivalent risk, such as the animals that were exposed to the same feed as the animal with BSE. Equivalent risk animals will be ordered destroyed and tested for BSE. The CFIA has not identified additional infected animals in previous cases of BSE in Canada.

CFIG: Will Canada’s BSE status change?

CFIA : The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recognizes Canada as a Controlled Risk country for BSE. This case should not affect Canada’s risk status.

CFIG: When was the last case of BSE in Canada?

CFIA : Canada’s last confirmed BSE case was reported in 2011.