Canada reported an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in an older cow in Alberta to the World Organisation for Animal Health on Dec. 17. The cow was euthanized on the ranch and did not enter the food or animal feed chain, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
“The detection of atypical BSE in Canada underscores the ongoing effectiveness of Canada’s robust targeted BSE surveillance program,” the agency said in a statement.
Following the news, South Korea suspended Canadian beef imports. “In addition to halting quarantine inspection, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has asked the Canadian government (for) epidemiology-related information on the recent BSE,” the South Korea ministry said in a statement. “We will determine whether to resume quarantine inspection accordingly after receiving more information.”
