Bovine spongiform encephalopathy p. 91 -

Question 1

Measures with respect to suspect animals

Answer 1

• Any animal suspected of being infected by a TSE must be placed under an official movement
restriction until the results of a clinical and epidemiological examination are known, or must be
killed for laboratory examination under official control.
• If BSE is suspected in a bovine animal at a holding in a Member State, all other bovine animals
from that holding must be placed under an official movement restriction until the results of
the examination are available;
• Ovine and caprine animals: the preceding rule applies on the basis of objective evidence, such as
the results of tests capable of differentiating between the various TSEs.

Question 2

Measures in case of infections

Answer 2

• When a case of TSE has been officially confirmed, the following measures must be applied:
o An inquiry must be launched to identify the possible origin of the disease and all animals
and derived products which may be contaminated;
o In case of confirmation of BSE in a bovine animal, killing and complete destruction of
the bovine animals identified by the inquiry;
• In case of confirmation of BSE in an ovine or caprine animal, killing and complete
destruction of all the animals, embryos and ova identified;
• Only certain ovine and caprine animals of a known genotype-and products derived from
them -may be introduced onto a holding where destruction has taken place because of an
outbreak of TSE;
o → genetically resistant to TSE, don’t need to kill these
• Pending the results of the inquiry, the holding in which the infection was confirmed is placed
under official control and all movement of animals susceptible to TSEs (and products of animal
origin) from or to the holding must be strictly authorised by the competent authority. Owners are
compensated without delay for the loss of animals or products of animal origin.

Question 3

Cohort in case of BSE

Answer 3

Means a group of bovine animals which were either born in the same herd as, and within 12
months preceding or following the birth of, the affected cattle or reared together with the
affected animal at any time during the first year of their life and which may have consumed the
same feed as that which the affected animal consumed during the first year of its life