US reports first case of mad cow disease

3.00pm

WASHINGTON - The first United States case of the deadly mad cow disease, which devastated parts of the European agriculture industry in the 1990s, has been found in a sick animal in Washington state, a top US official said today.

The announcement led to an immediate drop in the shares of fast food companies such as McDonald's, and analysts in Chicago predicted beef and grain prices would fall sharply.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said the disease was discovered in a Holstein cow in Washington state. The animal was a "downer," one that is too sick to walk, she said.

Mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), has never been found in the United States before but devastated the British industry in the 1990s. Scientists believe humans can be infected with the brain-wasting disease by eating diseased meat.

The US cattle industry has long feared an outbreak of mad cow disease, which could result in billions of dollars of losses.

"A single Holstein cow from Washington state was tested as presumptive positive for BSE or what is widely known as mad cow disease," Veneman said at a news conference.

"Even though the risk to human health is minimal, based on evidence, we will take all appropriate actions out of an abundance of caution," she said.

The diseased animal was tested for mad cow disease on December 9. A tissue sample was being flown by US military jet to an animal disease laboratory in England for additional confirmation, Veneman said.

The farm where the cow was found was quarantined, and the USDA will hold daily briefings on its investigation.

Veneman said she spoke with US Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. "I would emphasise that based on the information available this incident is not terrorist related.

She also urged American consumers not to panic.

"I plan to serve meat for my Christmas dinner," Veneman added. "The risk to human health from BSE is extremely low."

On May 20, Canada confirmed that one Alberta cow, which was slaughtered in January, had mad cow disease. The disease has been widespread in Europe and has been linked to about 130 human deaths, mostly in Europe.

The discovery of the sick Canadian cow triggered an immediate halt of Canadian meat exports by most countries as a precaution.

Because of concerns over mad cow disease, the European Union in 1994 banned mammalian meat and bone meal from being used in cattle feed, but has allowed the products to be used in feed for other animals like chickens, pigs and fish.

A spokesman for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange had no immediate comment and did not know if the exchange would delay opening its Wednesday morning trading in the CME's cattle contract.

- REUTERS