New BSE case confirmed in Canada

OTTAWA — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a seven-year-old dairy cow from British Columbia.

No part of the animal’s carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems and officials say this case should not affect exports of Canadian cattle or beef.

The animal’s birth farm has been identified, and an investigation is under way. The agency is tracing the animal’s herdmates at the time of birth and examining possible sources of infection.

The age and location of the infected animal are consistent with previous cases detected in Canada. This case was detected through the national BSE surveillance program.