BSE (Mad Cow Disease): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Prognosis

Mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is a disease that affects the brains of cattle. Diagnosing mad cow disease is relatively easy in its latter stages when the symptoms become apparent, but the diagnosis means certain death for the animal. There is currently no cure for the disease.

Instructions

In Cattle

• 1

  Look for a change in behavior. The animal will start to have uncoordinated movements.

• 2

  Check the animal's ability to walk or stand. It will have trouble with both as mad cow disease progresses. Cattle that can't stand are called "downers."

• 3

  Watch for weight loss even though the animal is eating. Also look for decreased milk production.

In Humans

• 4

  Look for psychiatric symptoms first. Depression, anxiety, withdrawal and insomnia have been linked to vCJD.

• 5

  Monitor the person's movements. A person with vCJD has increasingly uncoordinated movements leading to the inability to walk or stand.

• 6

  Pay attention to the person's memory. Since vCJD affects the brain, memory troubles worsen as the disease progresses.

• 7

  When you observe any of the symptoms described above, contact a physician for a professional evaluation.