Texas Animal Health Commission
Submitted by Inspector Stacy R.Taylor

Good afternoon,

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency sent out this brief statement a few minutes ago. According to the OIE, the World Organization for Animal Health, Canada had an imported BSE case in 1993.
Fifteen native-born cases have been detected in Canada: two in 2003; one each in 2004 and 2005; five cases in 2006, three in 2007; and, three in 2008 (including this latest case detected in August).

Carla Everett, TAHC Public Info

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OTTAWA, August 15, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a six-year-old beef cow from Alberta. No part of the animal’s carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems.

The animal’s birth farm has been identified, and an investigation is underway. The CFIA is tracing the animal's herdmates at the time of birth and examining possible sources of infection. The age and location of the infected animal are consistent with previous cases detected in Canada.

This case was detected through the national BSE surveillance program, which has been highly successful in demonstrating the low level of BSE in Canada. The program continues to play an important role in Canada’s strategy to manage BSE.

Canada remains a Controlled Risk country for BSE, as recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Accordingly, this case should not affect exports of Canadian cattle or beef