Is University of Wisconsin Treating A "Mad Cow" Victim? Tune in Tomorrow!

Posted on July 23, 2009 by Mad Cow

There will be a press conference at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics on Friday to calm fears about a possible case of Mad Cow Disease.

UW Hospitals spokesperson Lisa Brunette says: "There is no patient with "Mad Cow" disease here.

The denial that UW Hospital is treating someone with the human version of Mad Cow disease--called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease--came as Brunette was scheduling a media briefing to address the speculation.

Brunette says they will hold a media briefing Friday morning to address the speculation.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurodegenerative disorder believed to be caused by an abnormal isoform of a cellular glycoprotein known as the prion protein.

CJD occurs worldwide and the estimated annual incidence in many countries, including the United States, has been reported to be about one case per million population.

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R-CALF Wants USDA To Drop Animal ID System In Favor Of Disease Strategy

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Mad Cow

We have not given much if any space to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).  We know the United States Department of Agriculture has been listening; that most farmers and ranchers have been protesting, and the public is mostly confused about what's up.

The NAIS was advanced after the 2003 discovery of a Mad Cow in eastern Washington State.  It was tracked to Canada, and before long the whole idea of being able to quickly and easily track animals seemed like a good idea.

The online publication of Wallaces Farmer, however, says there is a new idea out there; this one being advanced by R-CALF, the organization that represents the U.S. cattle industry.  WF reports:

 

R-CALF USA recently sent a letter to the Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., expressing its appreciation for her decision to hold back further funding for the National Animal Identification System until USDA finishes its listening sessions.

 

R-CALF USA states in its letter that the U.S. needs to create a national strategy to improve livestock disease prevention, control and eradication instead of implementing NAIS...

 

..R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard says DeLauro has been informed of an eight-point plan that should be the starting point for the creation of a national disease strategy that will better protect the health of the nation's livestock and the safety of meat produced from the livestock. Bullard says R-CALF is hopeful USDA will redirect its resources to begin development of a national disease prevention strategy.

 

Go to WF for more.

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