World Health Organization consultation of public health issues related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy and the emergence of a new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Article Abstract:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued recommendations for reducing the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and a similar disease in humans called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The highest rate of BSE has occurred in the UK, where cattle were fed contaminated meat and bone meal prior to a ban on such feed in July, 1988. The incidence of BSE in the UK has dropped significantly since the feed ban. Ten cases of a variant of CJD have also been reported in the UK, but it is still not clear whether there is a link between the two diseases. WHO recommends the slaughter and disposal of any animal known to have BSE. However, cow's milk and gelatin are probably safe to consume. All countries should ban the use of meat products in cattle feed and should report any cases of BSE to an international registry. Cattle tissue used in the production of medicines should be obtained only from countries known to be free of BSE. There have been no cases of BSE in US cattle.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Opportunities for control of meningococcal disease in the United States
Article Abstract:
In United States, the pediatric populations have disproportionately higher rates of meningococcal disease. The features of the vaccines developed for curing this disease are discussed.
Publication Name: Annual Review of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0066-4219
Year: 2004
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: What constitutes an adequate cervical smear? The treatment of CIN: do we need lasers? Criteria for standards of management of women with an abnormal smear
- Abstracts: Battle of the airways: A growing number of people with asthma are embracing the teachings of a Russian professor who believes the disease can be treated without drugs
- Abstracts: Induction of endothelial cell tissue factor activity by sera from patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: a possible mechanism of thrombosis
- Abstracts: Should a woman's life be spared before a man's? The new idea of beauty. 47 reasons for women to love America
- Abstracts: Transvaginal ultrasonography and the assessment of luteal phase endometrium. Abnormalities detected on transvaginal ultrasonography in tamoxifen-treated postmenopausal breast cancer patients may represent endometrial cystic atrophy