BSE Oct 18

Last week, an outbreak of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) was confirmed on a farm in Scotland. Although it was an isolated outbreak, contained to one farm, the loss of animals through the disease and subsequent precautionary culling will leave many concerned.

The outbreak was confirmed on a farm in Lumsden, Aberdeenshire on the 18^th of October 2018. Prior to the outbreak last Thursday, there hadn’t been a confirmed case in Scotland for over 10 years; and was the first in the UK since 2015.

So-called ‘Mad Cow Disease’ infects cows and attacks their central nervous system. Symptoms often include a loss of co-ordination and uncharacteristic aggression – hence the name ‘Mad Cow Disease’. The disease is normally fatal.

In the 1990s, a serious epidemic saw over 100,000 confirmed cases of BSE. Due to a lack of disease control and measures to prevent the spread, the disease took hold of the United Kingdom. In an attempt to stop the disease 4.4 million cattle were slaughtered.

Since then, disease control measures have been developed and surveillance systems implemented. This has meant that diseases are detected at the earliest of stages. And when they are, farmers and authorities know how to deal with them safely to ensure containment.

These control measures have proven successful on Boghead Farm where last week’s outbreak was found. The five-year-old cow died, and the disease was identified before entering the human food chain. Sadly, four other animals – including one calf – have been destroyed as a precaution.

In a statement through NFU Scotland, farm owner Thomas Jackson said: “This has been a very difficult time for myself and my wife and we have found the situation personally devastating.

“We have built up our closed heard over many years and I have always taken great pride in doing all the correct things. To find through the surveillance system in place that one of our cows has BSE has been heart-breaking.

“Since this has happened, we have been fully cooperating with all parties involved and will continue to do so as we, like everyone, want to move forward and clear up this matter.”

Although the efforts of Mr. Jackson and the Scottish authorities have been exceptional. This outbreak is still a reminder that disease threats are ever-present. Livestock farmers around the world work very hard to ensure that protocols and procedures are followed to prevent outbreaks getting out of control.

More and more farmers are taking collective efforts to ensure that the farming community have the necessary infrastructure and facilities in place in the event of an outbreak. They know that it is important to prepared.

Waste Spectrum provide systems that can offer solutions in the event of disease outbreaks. Waste Spectrum’s biosecurity solutions have been developed with outbreaks in mind, with many lessons being learned from epidemics such as that of the 1990s.

To find out more about our biosecurity and disease control solutions, please get in touch with our friendly and helpful team. We will talk you through the options and support you in whatever way we can.