BSE scare hits USA
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In a statement issued on November 18, Andrea Morgan, associate deputy administrator for animal and plant health inspection services of the USDA, said, “Early this morning we were notified that an inconclusive BSE test result was received on a rapid screening test used as part of our enhanced BSE surveillance program.”
Ms Morgan stressed that: “The inconclusive result does not mean we have found another case of BSE in this country. Inconclusive results are a normal component of screen tests, which are designed to be extremely sensitive so that they will detect any sample that could be positive.” She added: “Tissue samples are now being sent to the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories, the national BSE reference laboratory which will run confirmatory testing.”
USDA did not say where the suspected animal was located.
Not too long ago, another suspected case was detected and the location of that animal was withheld so as not to cause a problem for ranchers in the area. That animal was found not to have BSE.
The final test results on the most recent case are due to be released by November 25. Should the animal be found to have BSE, said Morgan, USDA will provide additional information on the animal and its origin. Morgan also noted that the animal’s history is being tracked, and it was emphasized that it had not at any time entered the food chain.
