Investigators Trace Diseased Cow to Canada
Dec 27, 11:28 AM (ET)
By EMILY GERSEMA
(AP) Workers of the Nuevo Carnic slaughterhouse select beef before packing it in Managua, Nicaragua on...
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Holstein infected with mad cow disease in Washington state was imported into the United States from Canada about two years ago, federal investigators tentatively concluded Saturday.
Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief veterinarian for the Agriculture Department, said Canadian officials have provided records that indicate the animal was one of a herd of 74 cattle that were shipped from Alberta, Canada, into this country at Eastport, Idaho.
"These animals were all dairy cattle and entered the U.S. only about two or two-and-a-half years ago, so most of them are still likely alive," DeHaven said.
He emphasized that just because the sick cow was a member of that herd, it does not mean that all 74 animals are infected.
Based on the Canadian records, the cow was 6 1/2-years-old - older than U.S. officials had thought, DeHaven said. U.S. papers on the cow said she was 4- or 4 1/2-years-old.
The age is significant because the United States and Canada have banned feed that could be the source of infection since 1997.
Dec 27, 11:28 AM (ET)
By EMILY GERSEMA
(AP) Workers of the Nuevo Carnic slaughterhouse select beef before packing it in Managua, Nicaragua on...
Full Image
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Holstein infected with mad cow disease in Washington state was imported into the United States from Canada about two years ago, federal investigators tentatively concluded Saturday.
Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief veterinarian for the Agriculture Department, said Canadian officials have provided records that indicate the animal was one of a herd of 74 cattle that were shipped from Alberta, Canada, into this country at Eastport, Idaho.
"These animals were all dairy cattle and entered the U.S. only about two or two-and-a-half years ago, so most of them are still likely alive," DeHaven said.
He emphasized that just because the sick cow was a member of that herd, it does not mean that all 74 animals are infected.
Based on the Canadian records, the cow was 6 1/2-years-old - older than U.S. officials had thought, DeHaven said. U.S. papers on the cow said she was 4- or 4 1/2-years-old.
The age is significant because the United States and Canada have banned feed that could be the source of infection since 1997.
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