BSE case in a dairy cow in Hamburg

No meat in the trade - dead animal was professionally disposed of

After a check by the Friedrich-Löffler-Institut (FLI), the first BSE case was confirmed in a cattle kept in Hamburg this week. The more than ten-year-old dairy cow had died last week without showing any signs of BSE and was then checked. The responsible authorities have reacted accordingly, identified two endangered cattle in the herd concerned and taken all necessary measures.

In the event of a BSE case, all endangered animals are immediately identified as a protective measure. This includes the offspring that were born within two years before the disease was diagnosed and animals that were born twelve months before or after the dead cattle and were raised with them in the first year of life. During the two-year period described, the animal in question had one offspring. This young animal and a cow reared with the dead cattle are currently kept in the herd and officially controlled. The animals must not enter the food or feed chain, for example through slaughter. This was ordered by the competent authority vis-à-vis the animal owner.

The milk from infected cattle is not considered infectious and can be used without restriction. According to current knowledge, there is no health risk or transmission through consumption. Likewise, there is no danger to other animals through contact with the infected cattle, since direct transmission of the BSE pathogen from animal to animal is not possible.

The cow that died was disposed of in accordance with EU regulations. This means that pathogens cannot get into food or feed. This is the second BSE finding in Germany this year, the first case was recorded in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Source: Hamburg [ BSG ]