Mad Cow Disease Confirmed in CA Animal, but Food Supply Declared Safe

The USDA confirmed today that a case of mad cow disease was found in a California dairy cow. It's the fourth case of the disease found in the US since the first in December, 2003. But a USDA official also said that US meat and dairy supplies are safe. Experts said the case was "atypical," meaning the cow did not contract the disease through the feed supply. Reuters reported that major markets for US beef, including Canada and Japan, remained open, although one South Korean retailer has suspended purchases. Bruce Akey is Executive Director of the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.