We have been asked by some to have a blog on topical issues in public health and, particularly, in the areas of environmental health and infectious disease epidemiology. Today, we are launching our blog, affectionately entitled the BadBugBlog, with a discourse on Mad Cow Disease. We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future discussions.
Much has been in the news in the past 30 days about Mad Cow Disease, a/k/a BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), with the confirmation of the first positive finding in an indigenous cow in the United States. As you may remember, in December 2003, a cow, which was of Canadian birth, was found to be positive in the State of Washington.
That cow we believe was linked with 3 other cows that the Canadians have found to be positive for BSE.
What does this all mean? Are we at risk? Should every cow be tested? Bottom line: Should I still eat beef? I shall attempt to answer each of these questions with facts, as well as opinion.
Continue reading "What ' s Your Beef?" »
