Mad Cow Disease

Alternate Names : Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, New Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, New Variant CJD

What can be done to prevent the disease?

Travelers to areas with a high risk for mad cow disease can limit their risk for nvCJD by avoiding beef and beef products. If the person chooses to eat meat, he or she should select solid pieces of muscle meat, such as a steak or roast. Sausage and hamburger should be avoided. Public health measures to test for mad cow disease and eliminate cattle with evidence of BSE are ongoing.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Mad cow disease causes brain degeneration and death in cattle. NvCJD causes brain degeneration and death in people.

What are the risks to others?

Mad cow disease is highly contagious among cattle. NvCJD does not appear to spread from person to person. However, it may be spread if someone handles brain tissue or other body parts from an infected person.