Mad Cow DiseaseBritta Kratz pd. 7

Slowly progressive nervous system disease

Slowly wears away the central nervous system

Fatal Found in adult cows

What Is It?

An infectious protein called a prion

Feeding cows contaminated feed Genetics may also play a role

Causes

Neurological problems (staggering, motor control loss, dementia)

Weakness and weight loss Decreased milk production

Symptoms

Ban on feeding cows cow parts/blood Ban on feeding cows chicken litter

*very rare that humans can contract a human form of mad cow disease*

Prevention

http://www.webmd.com/brain/mad-cow-disease-basics http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/

f/FAQ_madcow2.htm http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040128/full/news040

126-9.html

Sources