Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a progressive neurological disorder of cattle that results from infection by an unconventional transmissible agent. It is also called "mad cow disease".
A causal relationship exist between BSE and new variant Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease, or just variant CJD (vCJD). vCJD is a rare, fatal brain disorder which causes a rapid, progressive dementia and associated neuromuscular disturbances. It is believed that people contract vCJD by consuming BSE-infected cattle products.
The Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease fact sheet (2 pages) offers detailed information about Mad Cow Disease in a concise question and answer format. |
