Research and analysis

BSE in Scotland: epidemiology report 2024

An epidemiological report on a bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) case in Scotland in 2024.

• From: Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 31 October 2024

Applies to Scotland

Documents

Report on the epidemiological investigation of a single BSE case in Ayrshire, Scotland

PDF, 489 KB, 43 pages

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Details

On 9 May 2024, Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) confirmed a case of classical BSE in a 7.5-year-old cow on a beef suckler farm in Ayrshire, Scotland. This was the first case of classical BSE to be confirmed in the UK since 2021 and in Scotland since 2018.

This report summarises the epidemiological investigations carried out to describe and understand this single case of BSE.

The detection of this case is evidence that the UK surveillance system for detecting and containing BSE is robust and effective. There is no threat to food safety, human health or animal health due to this case.

Published 31 October 2024