The occurrence
of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or
Mad Cow Disease in some European (EU) countries
in recent years has become a focus of public
attention.
2.
The EU countries
have implemented comprehensive control and surveillance
measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Hong Kong has also taken corresponding measures
to protect public health.
What
is BSE or Mad Cow Disease
1.
BSE, also known
as mad cow disease, is a progressive and fatal
brain disease of cattle first reported in Britain
in 1986. It is characterized by spongy like
changes in the brain and spinal cord of the
affected animals with an average incubation
period of about 4 to 5 years.
2.
One generally
accepted theory suggested that a self-replicating
protein known as prion causes the disease. Prion
is resistant to freezing, drying and heating
at normal cooking temperature. It is also unlikely
to be inactivated by normal pasteurization and
sterilization.
3.
Epidemiological
studies suggested that the spread of BSE might
have resulted from the use of ruminant feed
containing ruminant-derived meat and bone meal
The
Risks of BSE
1.
In March 1996,
a new disease known as Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (vCJD) was reported in the United Kingdom
(UK) affecting human with characteristic spongy
degeneration of the brain
2.
Epidemiological
evidence suggested that vCJD is strongly linked
with exposure to the BSE agent, and probably
through ingestion of food contaminated by the
central nervous system tissues of bovines affected
by BSE.
3.
vCJD
is different from the traditional form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (CJD). The traditional CJD is a rare
neurological disease of human and is not associated
with the consumption of beef.
4.
Tissues
derived from spinal cord, brain, eyes, tonsils
and intestines of cattle, sheep and goat are
regarded as Specific Risk Materials in EU countries
and should be handled with care.
5.
Nevertheless,
according to the information of the World
Health Organization, infectivity has not yet
been detected in skeletal muscle tissue. Reassurance
can be provided by removal of visible nervous
and lymphatic tissues from meat. Furthermore,
milk and milk products are considered safe.
Tallow and gelatin are also considered safe
if prepared by a manufacturing process that
has been shown experimentally to inactivate
the transmissible agent.
Situation
in Overseas Countries
1.
Since
1986 and up to December 2000, approximately
180,000 cases of BSE have been reported in the
UK. The incidence was at peak in 1992 with an
annual case number of more than 37,000. Nevertheless,
the incidence has fallen sharply to about 1100
cases in 2000 due to implementation of a series
of active control measures by the local authorities.
This represented approximately 50% decrease
compared to that in 1999.
2.
BSE
cases have also been reported in some EU countries.
Up-to-date information of BSE cases can be obtained
from the website of the Office International
des Epizooties: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/en_esbmonde.htm.
3.
Recently, there
has been an increase in the number of BSE cases
reported in France and Germany. This was due
to the introduction of active and improved surveillance
measures, and the stepping up of tests for BSE
in these countries.
4.
As at December
2000, some 80 cases of vCJD have been diagnosed
in the UK, three in France, and one in the Republic
of Ireland. No cases have been reported in other
countries.
Control
Measures in EU Countries
1.
WHO
recommended all countries must prohibit the
use of ruminant tissues in ruminant feed and
must exclude tissues that are likely to contain
BSE agent from any animal or human food chain.
2.
UK has
banned the use of ruminant proteins since 1988,
and cattle suspected of having the disease were
subsequently destroyed and incinerated.
3.
The
European Commission (EC) also put in place a
series of very comprehensive measures to combat
BSE. These measures include the requirement
for removal and destruction of Specific Risk
Materials from cattle, sheep and goat from 1
October 2000.
Situation
and Regulatory Measures in Hong Kong
1.
So
far, no cases of vCJD, which is closely related
to exposure of BSE in cattle, have been reported
in Hong Kong.
2.
The
import of beef is governed by the Imported Game,
Meat and Poultry Regulations, Cap.132. An official
health certificate stating that the meat is
fit for human consumption must accompany each
consignment of imported beef.
3.
The Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department (FEHD), in line with recommendations
of the relevant international authorities, including
Office International des Epizooties and WHO,
has imposed additional sanitary requirements
on beef products imported from EU countries
which have reported cases of mad cow disease
to prevent and control the spread of the disease
in Hong Kong. Such BSE-specific safety assurance
attestation should be incorporated in the health
certificate accompanying each consignment of
beef.
4.
Under the present
requirements, importers have to obtain prior
approval from FEHD before importing beef products
into Hong Kong from countries with history of
mad cow disease. In addition to reporting explicitly
the exporting country's mad cow disease status,
importers are required to submit health certificates
issued by recognized authorities stating the
meat-bone-meal is not used to feed cows in the
exporting country, that all cows have passed
ante-mortem inspection by professional staff
and that specific high risk parts like brain
and spinal cord have not been included in beef
products for export. The consignment in question
can only be imported into Hong Kong after FEHD
has assessed and approved the application. On
arrival to Hong Kong, the beef products will
first be held. FEHD will check the health certificates
and inspect the products to ascertain that no
specific high-risk parts like brain and spinal
cord are contained therein before releasing
the beef products for sale.
5.
The majority of
beef imported to Hong Kong are from BSE free
countries such as the Mainland, USA, Canada,
Australia and New Zealand.
6.
FEHD
would continue to monitor the situation and
take appropriate control measures where necessary.
Last
review date: 19-01-2005