Doença Vaca Louca

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, is a fatal disease that impacts the central nervous system of cattle and buffalo. The disease is caused by an infectious form of a protein called a prion. BSE is classified into two types: classic and atypical. In classic BSE, the main mode of transmission is through the consumption of contaminated animal-based feed, while atypical BSE occurs spontaneously in older animals. Recently, two atypical cases were diagnosed in Brazil, in Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais, where changes occur in the nervous system of typically aged animals. Preventive measures recommend avoiding the use of animal protein in feed for ruminants. The primary risk for human health comes from consuming contaminated meat, yet the atypical cases pose insignificant risk, as classified by the international animal health organization. Despite two confirmed cases, Brazil maintains its classification as having an insignificant risk of BSE, distinguishing these current atypical cases from past outbreaks in the 80s and 90s, primarily in the UK, which involved younger animals with nervous symptoms.