INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — U.S. farm groups and university experts rallied last week to restore confidence in the U.S. food supply after the USDA confirmed the nation’s fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as Mad Cow Disease in an adult dairy cow from central California.

“Although BSE can be spread by infection, this appears to be an isolated, spontaneous natural occurrence – a genetic mutation, and there is no possibility of its having entered the food supply,” said Susan Brewer, a University of Illinois professor of food science.

The USDA is diligent with inspection for this condition, particularly at slaughter plants, and weeds out animals that don’t meet strict criteria, she said, adding that cattle are inspected both before and after slaughter.

The agency confirmed that the positive test result was found from a dairy animal at a rendering facility and was never presented for human consumption, posing zero risk to human health.

Dr. John Clifford, USDA’s Chief Veterinary Officer, described the case as “atypical,” meaning the animal did not contract BSE from contaminated feed or feed ingredients, but was rather was the result of a random mutation.

According to Clifford, BSE is a fatal disease affecting the central nervous system of adult cattle.

“At USDA, we oversee a system of strong interlocking safeguards that protect human and animal health, as well as food safety in the United States. Those safeguards include targeted surveillance activities,” he said. “Through that surveillance program, on April 24th we confirmed the nation’s fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.”

According to USDA, there were only 29 cases of BSE worldwide in 2011, which is a 99 percent reduction since the peak in 1992 of more than 37,300 cases. Additionally, the USDA’s ongoing BSE surveillance program tests approximately 40,000 high-risk cattle annually, bringing the total of tested animals to more than 1 million since the program began.

“We commend USDA and animal health experts for effectively identifying and eliminating the potential risks associated with BSE,” said Tom Talbot, cattle health and well-being chairman for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc.

With California being a large dairy state, there have been some concerns raised about milk from a positive BSE animal.

“Let me assure you, our milk is safe to drink,” said Clifford. “Scientific research demonstrates that BSE cannot be transmitted in cow’s milk, even if that milk comes from a cow with BSE. 

The World Health Organization has stated that tests on milk from BSE-infected animals have not shown any BSE infectivity. Milk and milk products, are, therefore considered safe to consume, he explained.

“Let me assure consumers and our trading partners that ongoing BSE surveillance allows the USDA to detect BSE at very low levels in the U.S. cattle population,” he said. “The safeguarding system is working.”

The NCBA weighed in to reassure consumers that animal disease surveillance remains a high priority for cattle producers.

“The U.S. beef community has collaborated with and worked with animal health experts and government to put in place multiple interlocking safeguards over the past two decades to prevent BSE from taking hold in the United States,” said Talbot.

This effort was recognized in May 2007 when the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the leading international body for animal health, formally classified the United States as a controlled risk country for BSE. The controlled risk classification recognizes that U.S. regulatory controls are effective and that U.S fresh beef and beef products from cattle of all ages are safe and can be safely traded due to interlocking safeguards.

For updates on the USDA’s ongoing investigation and more information about BSE in general, visit www.usda.gov