| Online: | |
| Visits: | |
| Stories: |
| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
Two cases of mad cow disease in Central Greece; animals imported from the Netherlands
A farm in Fthiotida, central Greece, has been placed in quarantine after two cases of mad cow disease were discovered there, almost 10 years since the disease last appeared in Greece.
The cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) were found in two dead cows that had been imported from the Netherlands. The animals are thought to be six years old.
No information was available about when the animals were imported from the Netherlands.
BSE can be transmitted to humans who eat food derived from the infected cows, particularly if it contains nervous tissue. In humans, the disease is known as new variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
Greek Agriculture Ministry said that the farm has been closed off and further tests are being carried out, while a ban on entry and exit of animals and their products from the affected farm has been imposed.
The package of measures issued by the Agriculture Ministry includes also:
1. briefing of the farmer and involved stakeholders for mandatory compliance of all necessary measures to combat the disease.
2. strengthening and intensification of officials inspections and controls of carcasses in slaughterhouses and compulsorily tests for possible presence of the disease before meat and meat-products are given for consumption.
3. Briefing the European Commission on the cases.
BSE can be transmitted to humans who eat food derived from the infected cows, particularly if it contains nervous tissue. In humans, the disease is known as new variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
Source: http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2014/03/11/two-cases-of-mad-cow-disease-in-central-greece-animals-imported-from-the-netherlands/
