Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is a relatively new disease of cattle. It was first recognised and defined in the United Kingdom in November 1986. Over the next few years the epidemic grew considerably and affected all parts of the country but to different degrees. It reached its peak in 1992, when 36,680 cases were confirmed in Great Britain, and since then has shown a steady decline. Further information, including graphs, is available on the statistics pages.
BSE occurs in adult animals in both sexes, typically in animals aged five years and more. It is a neurological disease in which affected animals show signs that include; changes in mental state, abnormalities of posture and movement and of sensation. The clinical disease usually lasts for several weeks and it is invariably progressive and fatal.
Latest news
16 October 2008 - News story: Livestock markets roadshow.
1 October 2008 - Information bulletin: Compensation for Bovine TB, BSE, Brucellosis, and Enzootic Bovine Leukosis.
30 September 2008 - News release: Defra announces changes to the way testing of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are managed and funded. The free collection and disposal service for adult cattle that have died or been killed on farm will end in January 2009.
22 September 2008 - The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (fees) (England) Regulations 2008 (Link to OPSI website) come into force today. An Information Bulletin has been published.
If you suspect signs of any notifiable disease, you must immediately notify your local Divisional Veterinary Manager who can advise you of the procedures for notification, disposal and compensation.
Page last modified:
16 October, 2008