Herd or origin unknown in Alabama BSE case

MONTGOMERY, ALA. - 5/3/06 - After concluding the epidemiological inquiry into the third case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United States, state and federal officials have failed to find the herd of origin.

The red crossbreed fell under suspicion in late February when it was unable to rise. It was euthanized and later exhumed for tests. But due to the animal's unremarkable appearance and because it did not possess any unique or permanent identification, the cow's origin could not be traced, according to the epidemiology report created by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

APHIS and Alabama Department of Agriculture investigated 36 farms and five auction houses and conducted DNA testing on herds that might have included relatives of the infected animal. They were unable to find any related animals except for the breeder cow's two most recent calves, one of which died the prior year, and the other was still on the farm. The living calf is currently being held at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for observation.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration concluded that all local feed mills that handle prohibited materials have been, and continue to be, in compliance federal rules.