flatfish
10-22-2006, 02:03 PM
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
Cc: cjdvoice@yahoogroups.com ; BLOODCJD@YAHOOGROUPS.COM ; madcow@lists.iatp.org
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:13 AM
Subject: EU TO GIVE REALITY CHECK NEXT MONTH ON RISK FACTORS FOR HUMAN HEALTH VIA SHEEP AND GOAT FROM BSE AKA MAD COW DISEASE
EU TO GIVE REALITY CHECK NEXT MONTH ON RISK FACTORS FOR HUMAN HEALTH VIA SHEEP AND GOAT FROM BSE AKA MAD COW DISEASE (all the while ignoring the real risk factors from sheep and goat scrapie to humans)
EU will comment on human risk from prion disease
Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:54 AM BST
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe's top food safety agency will give its views next month on whether a fatal brain-wasting disease, similar to mad cow disease, might threaten human health if transmitted form sheep and goats, its executive director said on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, two sheep in France and one in Cyprus, were suspected of being infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) infection, also known as mad cow disease. A final series of tests is continuing and should be completed next year.
The sheep were initially tested for scrapie, which is similar to BSE, and known to exist in sheep for more than 100 years.
That followed on from a similar ordeal that France faced in 2005, when mad cow disease was confirmed in a goat that had been killed three years earlier --- the first case of BSE in a goat.
Scrapie belongs to a family of diseases known as TSEs (transmissible spongiform encephalopathy) and characterised by a degeneration of brain tissue giving a sponge-like appearance.
The group includes Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease in humans and BSE in cattle. These fatal diseases, caused by nervous system proteins called prions, gradually destroy the brain.
"At the beginning of November, we will deliver an overview of the TSE situation with regard to the possible presence of this disease and its transmission to humans via sheep and goats," Catherine Geslain-Laneelle, executive director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) told reporters.
"We have worked closely with France and have received their (food safety authority's) opinion. That's being examined this week and will be addressed in our final opinion in November."
While no case of BSE has ever been confirmed as naturally occurring in sheep, there are fears that some sheep diagnosed as having scrapie -- not known to be harmful to humans -- might be carrying the other brain-wasting disease.
Since the late 1990s, the EU has extensively monitored and checked for scrapie and BSE in cattle, sheep and goats. Given the widespread testing, isolated cases of BSE may be found but this should not indicate a major problem, EU officials say.
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-10-19T025431Z_01_KNE910424_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-EU-PRION-DISEASE-DC.XML
SCRAPIE TRANSMITS TO PRIMATES BY THERE NON-FORCED ORAL CONSUMPTION
SCRAPIE TRANSMISSION STUDIES AND SURVEILLANCE OF SCRAPIE (CJD) TO HUMANS HAVE NEVER BEEN CONDUCTED
12/10/76
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTE ON SCRAPIE
Office Note
CHAIRMAN: PROFESSOR PETER WILDY
snip...
A The Present Position with respect to Scrapie
A] The Problem
Scrapie is a natural disease of sheep and goats. It is a slow
and inexorably progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system
and it ia fatal. It is enzootic in the United Kingdom but not in all
countries.
The field problem has been reviewed by a MAFF working group
(ARC 35/77). It is difficult to assess the incidence in Britain for
a variety of reasons but the disease causes serious financial loss;
it is estimated that it cost Swaledale breeders alone $l.7 M during
the five years 1971-1975. A further inestimable loss arises from the
closure of certain export markets, in particular those of the United
States, to British sheep.
It is clear that scrapie in sheep is important commercially and
for that reason alone effective measures to control it should be
devised as quickly as possible.
Recently the question has again been brought up as to whether
scrapie is transmissible to man. This has followed reports that the
disease has been transmitted to primates. One particularly lurid
speculation (Gajdusek 1977) conjectures that the agents of scrapie,
kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and transmissible encephalopathy of
mink are varieties of a single "virus". The U.S. Department of
Agriculture concluded that it could "no longer justify or permit
scrapie-blood line and scrapie-exposed sheep and goats to be processed
for human or animal food at slaughter or rendering plants" (ARC 84/77)"
The problem is emphasised by the finding that some strains of scrapie
produce lesions identical to the once which characterise the human
dementias"
Whether true or not. the hypothesis that these agents might be
transmissible to man raises two considerations. First, the safety
of laboratory personnel requires prompt attention. Second, action
such as the "scorched meat" policy of USDA makes the solution of the
acrapie problem urgent if the sheep industry is not to suffer
grievously.
snip...
76/10.12/4.6
http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1976/10/12004001.pdf
J Infect Dis 1980 Aug;142(2):205-8
Oral transmission of kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and scrapie to nonhuman primates.
Gibbs CJ Jr, Amyx HL, Bacote A, Masters CL, Gajdusek DC.
Kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease of humans and scrapie disease of sheep and goats were transmitted to squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) that were exposed to the infectious agents only by their nonforced consumption of known infectious tissues. The asymptomatic incubation period in the one monkey exposed to the virus of kuru was 36 months; that in the two monkeys exposed to the virus of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was 23 and 27 months, respectively; and that in the two monkeys exposed to the virus of scrapie was 25 and 32 months, respectively. Careful physical examination of the buccal cavities of all of the monkeys failed to reveal signs or oral lesions. One additional monkey similarly exposed to kuru has remained asymptomatic during the 39 months that it has been under observation.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6997404&dopt=Abstract
Research Project: OVINE PRION & VIRAL INFECTIONS: SCRAPIE & OVINE PROGRESSIVE PNEUMONIA, DIAGNOSIS & CONTROL
Location: Animal Diseases Research
2005 Annual Report
snip...
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=405202&fy=2005
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1992 Jan 15;200(2):164-7.
Recommendations of the International Roundtable Workshop on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
Gibbs CJ Jr,
Bolis CL,
Asher DM,
Bradley R,
Fite RW,
Johnson RT,
Mahy BW,
McKhann GM.
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Recommendations of the working party were summarized as follows: Determine the status in all countries of their national cattle herds with respect to BSE. Attempt to develop a test to recognize BSE-infected animals before they become clinically ill. Establish procedures to prevent spread of BSE agent into the cattle populations, especially by eliminating feeds containing rendered ruminant proteins. Review the rendering processes, identify the sources and destinations of rendered products, and suggest appropriate changes if needed. Especially needed are standardized rendering procedures in regard to use of organic solvents, temperature, and duration of heat treatment. Review import and export regulations to reduce the risk of spreading BSE and to maximize opportunities for safe trading in cattle and cattle products. The scrapie-free certification program of the USDA was supported, and similar programs might be considered by other countries. If BSE/scrapie is diagnosed in a given country, determine baseline incidence of CJD in those countries and consider contributing to an international registry. The WHO should address the problems of BSE, formulate policy, participate in and coordinate research, and provide training opportunities for veterinary and human health care workers from eastern European countries and developing nations. Government and private agencies should consider increasing support for research on transmissibility and pathogenesis of CJD, BSE, CWD, scrapie, and transmissible mink encephalopathy. Prepare and publish a critical neuropathologic review of all spongiform encephalopathies, naturally and experimentally transmitted, defining the characteristics of each disease in the various species known to be susceptible. Consider producing guidelines for the biological and pharmaceutical industries with regard to sourcing, collecting, and processing bovine and ovine materials.
===================END================
continued
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
Cc: cjdvoice@yahoogroups.com ; BLOODCJD@YAHOOGROUPS.COM ; madcow@lists.iatp.org
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:13 AM
Subject: EU TO GIVE REALITY CHECK NEXT MONTH ON RISK FACTORS FOR HUMAN HEALTH VIA SHEEP AND GOAT FROM BSE AKA MAD COW DISEASE
EU TO GIVE REALITY CHECK NEXT MONTH ON RISK FACTORS FOR HUMAN HEALTH VIA SHEEP AND GOAT FROM BSE AKA MAD COW DISEASE (all the while ignoring the real risk factors from sheep and goat scrapie to humans)
EU will comment on human risk from prion disease
Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:54 AM BST
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe's top food safety agency will give its views next month on whether a fatal brain-wasting disease, similar to mad cow disease, might threaten human health if transmitted form sheep and goats, its executive director said on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, two sheep in France and one in Cyprus, were suspected of being infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) infection, also known as mad cow disease. A final series of tests is continuing and should be completed next year.
The sheep were initially tested for scrapie, which is similar to BSE, and known to exist in sheep for more than 100 years.
That followed on from a similar ordeal that France faced in 2005, when mad cow disease was confirmed in a goat that had been killed three years earlier --- the first case of BSE in a goat.
Scrapie belongs to a family of diseases known as TSEs (transmissible spongiform encephalopathy) and characterised by a degeneration of brain tissue giving a sponge-like appearance.
The group includes Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease in humans and BSE in cattle. These fatal diseases, caused by nervous system proteins called prions, gradually destroy the brain.
"At the beginning of November, we will deliver an overview of the TSE situation with regard to the possible presence of this disease and its transmission to humans via sheep and goats," Catherine Geslain-Laneelle, executive director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) told reporters.
"We have worked closely with France and have received their (food safety authority's) opinion. That's being examined this week and will be addressed in our final opinion in November."
While no case of BSE has ever been confirmed as naturally occurring in sheep, there are fears that some sheep diagnosed as having scrapie -- not known to be harmful to humans -- might be carrying the other brain-wasting disease.
Since the late 1990s, the EU has extensively monitored and checked for scrapie and BSE in cattle, sheep and goats. Given the widespread testing, isolated cases of BSE may be found but this should not indicate a major problem, EU officials say.
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-10-19T025431Z_01_KNE910424_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-EU-PRION-DISEASE-DC.XML
SCRAPIE TRANSMITS TO PRIMATES BY THERE NON-FORCED ORAL CONSUMPTION
SCRAPIE TRANSMISSION STUDIES AND SURVEILLANCE OF SCRAPIE (CJD) TO HUMANS HAVE NEVER BEEN CONDUCTED
12/10/76
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTE ON SCRAPIE
Office Note
CHAIRMAN: PROFESSOR PETER WILDY
snip...
A The Present Position with respect to Scrapie
A] The Problem
Scrapie is a natural disease of sheep and goats. It is a slow
and inexorably progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system
and it ia fatal. It is enzootic in the United Kingdom but not in all
countries.
The field problem has been reviewed by a MAFF working group
(ARC 35/77). It is difficult to assess the incidence in Britain for
a variety of reasons but the disease causes serious financial loss;
it is estimated that it cost Swaledale breeders alone $l.7 M during
the five years 1971-1975. A further inestimable loss arises from the
closure of certain export markets, in particular those of the United
States, to British sheep.
It is clear that scrapie in sheep is important commercially and
for that reason alone effective measures to control it should be
devised as quickly as possible.
Recently the question has again been brought up as to whether
scrapie is transmissible to man. This has followed reports that the
disease has been transmitted to primates. One particularly lurid
speculation (Gajdusek 1977) conjectures that the agents of scrapie,
kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and transmissible encephalopathy of
mink are varieties of a single "virus". The U.S. Department of
Agriculture concluded that it could "no longer justify or permit
scrapie-blood line and scrapie-exposed sheep and goats to be processed
for human or animal food at slaughter or rendering plants" (ARC 84/77)"
The problem is emphasised by the finding that some strains of scrapie
produce lesions identical to the once which characterise the human
dementias"
Whether true or not. the hypothesis that these agents might be
transmissible to man raises two considerations. First, the safety
of laboratory personnel requires prompt attention. Second, action
such as the "scorched meat" policy of USDA makes the solution of the
acrapie problem urgent if the sheep industry is not to suffer
grievously.
snip...
76/10.12/4.6
http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1976/10/12004001.pdf
J Infect Dis 1980 Aug;142(2):205-8
Oral transmission of kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and scrapie to nonhuman primates.
Gibbs CJ Jr, Amyx HL, Bacote A, Masters CL, Gajdusek DC.
Kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease of humans and scrapie disease of sheep and goats were transmitted to squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) that were exposed to the infectious agents only by their nonforced consumption of known infectious tissues. The asymptomatic incubation period in the one monkey exposed to the virus of kuru was 36 months; that in the two monkeys exposed to the virus of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was 23 and 27 months, respectively; and that in the two monkeys exposed to the virus of scrapie was 25 and 32 months, respectively. Careful physical examination of the buccal cavities of all of the monkeys failed to reveal signs or oral lesions. One additional monkey similarly exposed to kuru has remained asymptomatic during the 39 months that it has been under observation.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6997404&dopt=Abstract
Research Project: OVINE PRION & VIRAL INFECTIONS: SCRAPIE & OVINE PROGRESSIVE PNEUMONIA, DIAGNOSIS & CONTROL
Location: Animal Diseases Research
2005 Annual Report
snip...
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=405202&fy=2005
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1992 Jan 15;200(2):164-7.
Recommendations of the International Roundtable Workshop on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
Gibbs CJ Jr,
Bolis CL,
Asher DM,
Bradley R,
Fite RW,
Johnson RT,
Mahy BW,
McKhann GM.
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Recommendations of the working party were summarized as follows: Determine the status in all countries of their national cattle herds with respect to BSE. Attempt to develop a test to recognize BSE-infected animals before they become clinically ill. Establish procedures to prevent spread of BSE agent into the cattle populations, especially by eliminating feeds containing rendered ruminant proteins. Review the rendering processes, identify the sources and destinations of rendered products, and suggest appropriate changes if needed. Especially needed are standardized rendering procedures in regard to use of organic solvents, temperature, and duration of heat treatment. Review import and export regulations to reduce the risk of spreading BSE and to maximize opportunities for safe trading in cattle and cattle products. The scrapie-free certification program of the USDA was supported, and similar programs might be considered by other countries. If BSE/scrapie is diagnosed in a given country, determine baseline incidence of CJD in those countries and consider contributing to an international registry. The WHO should address the problems of BSE, formulate policy, participate in and coordinate research, and provide training opportunities for veterinary and human health care workers from eastern European countries and developing nations. Government and private agencies should consider increasing support for research on transmissibility and pathogenesis of CJD, BSE, CWD, scrapie, and transmissible mink encephalopathy. Prepare and publish a critical neuropathologic review of all spongiform encephalopathies, naturally and experimentally transmitted, defining the characteristics of each disease in the various species known to be susceptible. Consider producing guidelines for the biological and pharmaceutical industries with regard to sourcing, collecting, and processing bovine and ovine materials.
===================END================
continued