Brazil Reports First Bovine BSE Case

By CnAgri Print

The World Animal Health Organization confirmed that Brazil has reported its first case of Bovine Spongiform Encephelopathy. The index case was a 13-year old cow that died December 18, 2010. Initial samples were taken from the dead animal and tested negative for rabies at an OVS accredited laboratory. On April 11, 2011, a negative result for BSE was obtained in a laboratory accredited by the OVS. The sample was then sent to the National Reference Laboratory, National Agricultural Laboratory for BSE diagnosis where it tested positive on June 15, 2012.

According to the OIE, the long delay between the two tests was caused by a classification glitch that occurred in one of the laboratories of the accredited network for the diagnosis of BSE. This classification issue gave the sample a low diagnosis priority level, which resulted in the long delay in testing.

In accordance with OIE procedures, the sample was forwarded for confirmatory diagnosis to the OIE Reference Laboratory for BSE.

Reportedly, the epidemiological investigation showed that the animal's death was not caused by BSE and suggested that it may be an atypical case of the disease that occurs in older animals. Information collected during the epidemiological investigation also reportedly showed that the cow was reared in an extensive grazing system.

Brazil retains its OIE recognition of having a negligible BSE risk according to the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Nonetheless, Japan announced this week that it has suspended imports of beef from Brazil.