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in the photo above are (L-R): Jim Walker, Director of
Alabama
Homeland Security; Dr. Ken Angel, USDA; Perry Mobley, ALFA Beef
Committee; Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks; Alabama
Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Dr. Billy Powell, and State
Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier.
It
was determined that the cow was first examined by a local veterinarian
in late February 2006. After the animal failed to respond to medical
attention, it was humanely euthanized. The cattle producer buried the
cow at the farm because Alabama Department of Agriculture &
Industries (ADAI) regulations require burial of livestock within 24
hours. The producer did not suspect that the cow had BSE. The local
veterinarian sent samples of the cow to the ADAI lab system, which was
then forwarded to the USDA lab in Athens, GA as part of the routine
voluntary surveillance program for BSE testing. After the rapid test for
BSE gave an inconclusive result, the samples were sent to Ames, Iowa for
a Western Blot test, which gave a positive result. A third test, the
immunohisto-chemistry (IHC) test, was performed and also returned
positive results for BSE.
Federal
and state agriculture workers excavated the remains of the animal. The
carcass was that of a red crossbred beef type cow and not a purebred
Santa Gertrudis as previously reported. Had she been a registered
animal, traceback would have been easier. An examination of the cow’s
teeth confirmed that the animal was at least 10 years of age. Samples
were taken of the animal and the remaining carcass was transported to
one of the department’s diagnostic labs for proper disposal.
One
calf was identified by the owner as belonging to the red cow. The calf
is approximately 6 weeks old and appeared to be a healthy animal. The
calf was transported to a USDA lab where DNA from the calf will be
compared to that of the red cow to confirm relation. If confirmed, this
would be the first offspring of a BSE diagnosed cow in the United
States.
Since
the investigation began, the ADAI and the USDA have followed multiple
leads in the traceback process. At this time, 13 locations and 32
movements of cattle have been examined with 27 of those being
substantially completed. Additional investigations of locations and
herds will continue. In addition, state and federal officials have
confirmed that a black bull calf was born in 2005 to the index animal
(the red cow). The calf was taken by the owner to a local stockyard in
July 2005 where it died. The calf was disposed of in a local landfill
and did not enter the human or animal food chain.
Without
a premises or animal ID program in place, the traceback process to find
the herd of origin of the index cow is time-consuming and difficult. It
includes conducting interviews, reviewing of records and documents, and
testing of cattle DNA. State and federal officials have discovered
several herds of interest and they are planning to use DNA testing to
determine DNA linkage between the index cow and the herds. Through the
DNA testing of these herds, investigators will attempt to find a genetic
path that could lead to the herd of origin. Commissioner Sparks stressed
that the DNA testing being conducted on the herds is for genetic markers
and is not a test for the disease BSE.
Sparks
stressed that, "It is the Alabama Department of Agriculture
& Industries’ and the USDA’s policy not to disclose the
location of the farm where the animal was located. We
consider that information private. USDA does not release that kind
of information for BSE or for any other disease program. The
producer, and other producers around the country are helping us with our
enhanced BSE surveillance program and protecting their privacy
encourages them to do so. This producer did
exactly what they should have been done under the system.
We want that cooperation to continue and bringing unnecessary
hardship and attention to them would not benefit the consumers
or farmers. This program is working and there is no danger to
the existing herd because this disease is not
contagious." |
