The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says the Alberta cow that tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, was born two years after the country instituted tougher bans on animal feed to prevent the disease. Officials say cases of BSE are rare in Canada, and this is the first positive case in four years.
After an investigation, CFIA determined the cow was born in March 2009 on a farm in northern Alberta near Edmonton. The farm has been placed under quarantine. Canadian officials say the farm is cooperating with the investigation, and the agency is focusing its efforts on reviewing farm animal and feed records to assess if other animals are at risk.