Mad cow is a slang term that is used to refer to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a neurological disease that affects cattle. It is a serious condition that is caused by the accumulation of abnormal proteins called prions in the brain and spinal cord. This accumulation leads to progressive degeneration of brain tissue and subsequent neurological symptoms.BSE was first identified in the 1980s and gained significant attention due to its potential to spread to humans. Consumption of meat from infected cattle has been linked to the transmission of BSE to humans, causing a related disease known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). vCJD is a fatal neurological disorder that affects the brain and has similar symptoms to BSE.To prevent the spread of BSE, various measures have been implemented in the cattle farming industry. These include restrictions on the feeding of animal protein to ruminant animals, which is believed to be a major route of transmission. Additionally, strict regulations and testing protocols have been established to ensure the safety of meat products.While cases of BSE have significantly declined in recent years, it remains a concern for both animal and human health. Monitoring, surveillance, and control measures continue to be implemented to minimize the risk of the disease spreading.It is important to note that "mad cow" is an informal term and should not be used in scientific or professional contexts. The proper term to use is bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE.
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