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From: TSS ()
March 24, 2006 - BSE Update March 24, 2006 - BSE Update Since the investigation began, the ADAI and the USDA have followed multiple leads in the traceback process. At this time, 13 locations and 32 movements of cattle have been examined with 27 of those being substantially completed. Additional investigations of locations and herds will continue. In addition, state and federal officials have confirmed that a black bull calf was born in 2005 to the index animal (the red cow). The calf was taken by the owner to a local stockyard in July 2005 where the calf died. The calf was disposed of in a local landfill and did not enter the human or animal food chain. Without a premises or animal ID program in place, the traceback process to find the herd of origin of the index cow is time-consuming and difficult. It includes conducting interviews, reviewing of records and documents, and testing of cattle DNA. State and federal officials have discovered several herds of interest and they are planning to use DNA testing to determine DNA linkage between the index cow and the herds. Through the DNA testing of these herds, investigators will attempt to find a genetic path that could lead to the herd of origin. Commissioner Sparks stressed that the DNA testing being conducted on the herds is for genetic markers and is not a test for the disease BSE. As part of the thorough investigative process, a large number of cattle may be tested in this phase and the number of herds included will continue to grow as the traceback progresses. Leads will be followed by state and federal officials until they are exhausted. Even when an index animal is traced to it’s birth herd, often cohorts of that animal are no longer in that herd. In addition, even if an animal’s cohort has been exposed to the same infective material in feed, the other animals will not necessarily contract BSE. BSE is not a contagious disease that spreads animal to animal, or animal to human. BSE spreads in cattle through the consumption of feed containing specified risk material (brain and spinal cord) derived from BSE infected cattle. The United States banned the use of such protein supplements in cattle feed since 1997. Sparks says that beef consumption in this country is safe and there are measures in place to see that it continues to be safe. For example, downer animals are not allowed to enter commerce for human consumption and there is a ban on feeding ruminant derived protein to cattle. http://www.agi.state.al.us/press_releases/march-24-2006---bse-update2?pn=2 Epidemiology Update March 23, 2006 http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/hot_issues/bse/bse_al_epi-update.shtml The Committee was asked whether, in the light of the results of the risk http://www.seac.gov.uk/summaries/summ_0700.htm http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/bse/publichealth/notification.html#disp THE USE OF BURIAL FOR DEALING WITH ANIMAL CARCASSES AND OTHER ANIMAL MATERIALS THAT MIGHT CONTAIN BSE/TSE ADOPTED BY THE SCIENTIFIC STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING OF 16-17 JANUARY 2003 The details of the SSC’s evaluation are provided in the attached report. The concludes as follows: (1) The term “burial” includes a diversity of disposal conditions. Although widely used for disposal of waste the degradation process essential for infectivity reduction is very difficult to control. The extent to which such infectivity reduction can occur as a consequence of burial is poorly It would appear to be a slow process in various circumstances. (2) A number of concerns have been identified including potential for contamination, dispersal/transmission by birds/animals/insects, accidental uncovering by man. (3) In the absence of any new data the SSC confirms its previous opinion material which could possibly be contaminated with BSE/TSEs, burial poses a risk except under highly controlled conditions (e.g., controlled landfill). SNIP... 4. CONCLUSION In the absence of new evidence the opinion of the SSC “Opinion on Fallen (SSC 25th June 1999) must be endorsed strongly that land burial of all material derived from them for which there is a possibility that they could incorporate BSE/TSEs poses a significant risk. Only in exceptional where there could be a considerable delay in implementing a safe means of should burial of such materials be considered. Guidelines should be made to aid on burial site selection. 4 PAGES; http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/ssc/out309_en.pdf Department of Health prepared a rapid qualitative assessment of the potential risks to human health associated with various methods of carcass disposal (UK Department of Health, 2001c). The most relevant hazards to human health resulting from burial were identified as bacteria pathogenic to humans, water-borne protozoa, and BSE. The main potential route identified was contaminated water supplies, and the report generally concluded that an engineered licensed landfill would always be preferable to unlined burial. In general terms, the findings of the qualitative assessment relative to biological agents are summarized in Table 13. TABLE 13. Potential health hazards and associated pathways of exposure animal carcasses (adapted from UK Department of Health, 2001c). PLEASE SEE TABLE AT; http://www.k-state.edu/projects/fss/research/books/carcassdispfiles/PDF%20Files/CH%201%20-%20Burial.pdf Rendering and fixed-facility incineration were preferred, but the necessary resources were not immediately available and UK officials soon learned that the capacity would only cover a portion of the disposal needs. Disposal in commercial landfills was seen as the next best environmental solution, but legal, commercial, and local community problems limited landfill use. With these limitations in mind, pyre burning was the actual initial method used but was subsequently discontinued following increasing public, scientific, and political concerns. Mass burial and on-farm burial were last on the preferred method list due to the complicating matter of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and the risk posed to groundwater (Hickman & Hughes, 2002). A Major Problem of the 2001 FMD Outbreak Gordon Hickman and Neil Hughes, Disposal Cell, FMD Joint Co-ordination Centre, Page Street snip... snip... Some unofficial information from a source on the inside looking out - Confidential!!!! As early as 1992-3 there had been long studies conducted on small ---------- more here ; http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/ws/s018.pdf Requirements include: a. after burning to the range of 800 to 1000*C to eliminate smell; well heck, this is just typical public relations fear factor control. b. Gas scrubbing to eliminate smoke -- though steam may be omitted; c. Stacks to be fitted with grit arreaters; snip... 1.2 Visual Imact It is considered that the requirement for any carcase incinerator full text; also, if one thinks that cattle don't become infected with BSE under 30 months, well that simplys is not correct. youngest to date is 20 months, with many more in the 20 to 30 month range not only in the UK but Japan as well. ... Kind regards, Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
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