Mad Cow Disease

What is mad cow disease?

Mad cow disease is a fatal disease found in cows that can spread to people. It affects the brain and spinal cord, causing a breakdown of the nervous system. It is also called bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). It rarely occurs in humans, but when it does, it is called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and is fatal.

How does it occur?

The disease is caused by an abnormal version of a kind of protein called a prion. It is spread among cows when they are fed ground-up meat and bones from other cows. It can spread to people when they eat cow meat that has been infected with the abnormal protein.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may not develop for several years after infection with the abnormal protein. When symptoms develop, they include:

• worsening memory
• muscle spasms
• lack of muscle control
• trouble sleeping
• unsteadiness when you walk
• depression
• anxiety.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and examine you. Your provider will ask about your eating patterns. You will have blood tests:

Other tests you may have are:

• MRI or PET scan of the brain
• EEG, which is a study of your brain waves
• a spinal tap to look at the levels of specific proteins
• a brain biopsy.

How is it treated?

A cure has not yet been found for mad cow disease. Your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist for treatment, such as a neurologist or an infectious disease doctor.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow your health provider's instructions for care. Take the medicines prescribed for you to lessen symptoms.

How long will the effects last?

All prion diseases, including mad cow disease, lead to death in 6 months to 5 years.

How can I help prevent catching mad cow disease?

The risk of getting mad cow disease from beef is very low, but you can consider doing the following to prevent getting it:

• Avoid beef products that could contain spinal cord or brain tissue. This includes ground beef, sausage, and hot dogs.
• Eat chicken or fish instead of beef.
• If you travel to a country where mad cow disease has been detected, avoid beef. These countries include:
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom
• Do not have a blood transfusion overseas.