What Is Mad Cow Disease?
5. Can Humans Contract Mad Cow Disease?
It is thought that the degenerative and fatal brain disorder Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease develops as a result of a person eating beef products contaminated with the central nervous system tissue from infected cattle. vCJD causes rapid and progressive dementia and the deterioration of mental functions, much like BSE does.
Unfortunately, cooking meat does not kill off the abnormal prions. Fortunately, the U.S. has strict regulations that require all cattle farms to remove the brain and spinal cord materials from high-risk cattle. “High risk” cattle are those that are unable to walk, older or that show signs of neurological problems. Other countries do not have these safeguards in place.
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