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December
9, 2003 |
A
non-ambulatory dairy cow believed to be about 4-1/2 years
old arrives at Verns Moses Lake Meats, a slaughter plant
in Moses Lake, WA; the animal’s condition is attributed
to complications from calving. Consistent with USDA’s
standard testing protocols for BSE, samples are taken from
the animal and all potential high-risk material (central
nervous system tissue) is diverted out of the human food
supply and into rendering.
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December
11 |
Samples
from the animal arrive at USDA's National Veterinary Services
Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, IA.
Because the animal had no neurological signs at slaughter,
it was not considered to be a higher priority for BSE and
the samples were placed in the normal queue for testing.
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December
22 |
Preliminary
test results are positive for BSE; NVSL conducts further
testing. |
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December
23
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Further
test results are positive for BSE.
Secretary Veneman announces a "presumptive positive"
case for BSE. A
sample from the animal is hand-carried to the United Kingdom
for final confirmatory testing at the BSE world reference
laboratory in Weybridge, England. |
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APHIS'
epidemiological investigation begins.
Quarantine placed on herd in Mabton, WA, in which
the index animal had last resided.
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December 23
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USDA's
Food Safety and Inspection Service initiates a Class II
recall of meat (10,410 pounds) from the group of 20 animals
slaughtered on December 9 at Verns Moses Lake Meats.
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| USDA
determines disposition of three calves from index animal: one died shortly after birth in October 2001.
One is a yearling heifer and is in the index herd
in Mabton, WA, which is under State quarantine. The third is the most recently born calf,
a bull calf, and is in a herd in Sunnyside, WA, which is
placed under State quarantine |
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December
25
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UK
world reference laboratory confirms USDA diagnosis of BSE. |
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Traceback
of index animal continues.
It is believed likely that the index animal was purchased
into Mabton herd from a dairy cattle finishing farm in Mattawa,
WA. The other, less
likely, possibility is that it came from an area livestock
market. |
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December
27 |
USDA’s
traceback investigation indicates that the affected cow
was likely imported from Canada in 2001 and that she was
likely 6-1/2 years old, rather than 4-1/2 years old as the
last owner’s records had indicated. Investigative
efforts continue and involve Canadian officials.
USDA
team departs Washington for Japan to pursue trade talks.
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December
28 |
USDA’s
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) determines that
two tertiary cosignees (the customers of Williamette Valley
Meats) of the recalled beef products had limited further
distribution to four other states, including Alaska, Montana,
Hawaii and Idaho, as well as the U.S. territory of Guam.
These areas are in addition to the primary distribution
in Oregon and Washington, with some product shipped to Nevada
and California. FSIS continues to trackback the distribution
of any recalled meat to ensure compliance with the recall.
Traceback
of the index animal continues. USDA is also continuing to
trace the 73 other cows that came in the same shipment.
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December
29 |
USDA
determines that records obtained from the owner of the index
animal correspond with Canada’s records indicating that
this animal was approximately 6 ½ years old at the
time of slaughter. USDA is working with Canada to conduct
DNA tests to verify that the correct animal has been identified.
Tracebacks
of the index animal, along with the 73 other cows from the
same shipment, continues. USDA identifies 8 additional cows
from the same herd in Canada as the index cow that may have
entered the United States. USDA begins tracing these animals.
FSIS
determines that the recalled meat products were distributed
to 42 locations from Interstate Meats and Willamette Valley
Meats, with at least 80 percent of the products distributed
to stores in Oregon and Washington. FSIS is verifying that
these 42 distributors, along with the original distributors,
are complying with requirements to notify their customers.
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December
3O |
Agriculture
Secretary Ann Veneman announces additional safeguards to bolster
the U.S. protection system against BSE and to further protect
public health:
- downer
cattle and specified risk material and tissues will immediately
be banned from the human food chain
skull, brain, trigeminal ganglia, eyes, vertebral column,
spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of cattle over 30 months
of age and a portion of the small intestine of cattle of
all ages are now considered specified risk materials and
are prohibited from entering the human food supply
- any
normal cattle, if they are targeted for BSE surveillance
testing at slaughter, will no longer be marked as “inspected
and passed” until confirmation is received that the
animals have, in fact, tested negative for BSE
-
dorsal root ganglia, clusters of nerve cells connected to
the spinal cord along the vertebrae column, in addition
to already-prohibited spinal cord tissue, will be prohibited
in products labeled as “meat”
- the
air-injection stunning of cattle will be prohibited
- mechanically
separated meat in human food will be prohibited
- a
verifiable system of national animal identification will
be immediately implemented
(See USDA’s
12/30/03 press release for more specifics)
Traceback
of the index animal continues. USDA continues working closely
with Canadian officials to conduct DNA testing of the index
cow.
Through
the traceback of the index animal, USDA determines that 82
cattle (including the positive cow) were cleared for shipment
into the United States. USDA is verifying the actual number
that entered the United States and the location of each animal.
Initial information from Canada suggested only 74 of the 82
cattle on the health certificate were shipped to the United
States. However, since USDA cannot rule out the possibility
that the other eight also came across the border, USDA is
looking at import/export records, as well as on-farm records,
for all remaining 81 cattle. |
December
31 |
USDA
continues to work with Canadian officials to verify the traceback
of the index animal. USDA is working with Canada to conduct
DNA tests in both countries. Testing is expected to begin
this evening and results could be available as early as next
week.
Through
the traceback investigation, USDA learns that the Canadian
health certificate, dated August 28, 2001, lists 82 eartag
numbers from cattle that were part of a herd dispersal in
Alberta, Canada. One of those eartag numbers matches that
number on the BSE-positive cow. Nine of the 82 are part of
the index herd in Washington State. Currently, USDA has information
that suggests that 81 of the 82 animals crossed the border
into the United States. However, since USDA cannot rule out
the possibility that all the animals came into the United
States, USDA is looking at import/export records, as well
as on-farm records, for all remaining 72 cattle.
USDA
appoints an international team of experts to review the Department’s
investigation and make national recommendations following
the completion of the epidemiological investigation. The team
will be similar to the group that conducted such a review
in Canada. |
| January
2 |
USDA
confirms that 81 of the 82 animals listed on the Canadian
health certificate, which includes the eartag number for
the index cow, entered the United Sates through Oroville,
WA, on September 4, 2001.
USDA
has 11 of the 82 cattle definitely accounted for including:
· One is the index cow
· Nine are those known to be in the index herd
· One animal is on the Mattawa premises
· Also, USDA believes one animal may still be in
Canada
Tracebacks
of the other 70 animals continue. USDA has good leads on
the whereabouts of many of these animals.
USDA
announces that three facilities are under hold orders during
the epidemiological investigation. The first facility is
the index herd, while the second is a nearby facility that
has the index cow’s recently born bull calf. The third
facility is a dairy operation in Mattawa where one animal
from the original herd of 82 is located.
USDA
and Canadian officials continue DNA tests to determine the
identification of the index animal. Two USDA epidemiologists
are in Canada to assist with the testing, while two Canadian
epidemiologists are in the United States to assist with
the DNA testing.
USDA
is working closely with industry to reposition its efforts
to collect samples of high-risk animals for BSE surveillance
testing on farms, at rendering facilities, and other locations.
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| January
5 |
USDA
announces the decision to depopulate the bull calf operation
in Sunnyside, Washington, that includes a calf born to the
heifer infected with BSE prior to the heifer’s slaughter
this past December. There are approximately 450 cattle on
the premises, and operations will proceed this week but
will likely be dependent on weather conditions in the Mabton
area. The calves will be transported to a currently unused
slaughter facility.
USDA
will have animal care experts on hand at both the farm where
the calves will be loaded and at the slaughter facility
to ensure humane treatment of the animals. The animals will
be euthanized according to American Veterinary Medical Association
animal welfare euthanasia guidelines. No products from any
of the slaughtered animals will enter the human food chain,
nor will products be rendered.
A
USDA team departs Washington for Mexico to pursue trade
talks.
USDA
and Canadian officials continue DNA tests to determine the
identification of the index animal. Test results are expected
sometime this week.
USDA
has 11 of the 82 cattle that were listed on the Canadian
health certificate, including the index cow, definitely
accounted for. USDA believes that one of the animals is
still in Canada. Tracebacks of the other 70 animals continue.
USDA has good leads on the whereabouts of many of these
animals. |
| January
6 |
USDA
announces that DNA evidence now helps to verify—with
a high degree of certainty—that the BSE positive cow
found in Washington State originated from a dairy farm in
Alberta, Canada.
USDA
depopulates the bull calf operation outside Sunnyside, WA.
Approximately 450 calves are transported from the farm to
a designated slaughter facility and euthanized according
to American Veterinary Medical Association humane guidelines.
USDA officials secure the animal carcasses overnight.
Other
elements of the investigation, including animal tracebacks,
continue on both sides of the border and may provide additional
information. This includes the cattle feed investigation
in Canada as well as the additional DNA testing. |
| January
7 |
USDA
disposes of the carcasses of the depopulated calves by landfill.
None of the carcasses entered the human food supply chain
or were rendered.
USDA locates another animal that came into the United States
with the index cow, which is also located in a Mattawa, WA
dairy herd. USDA has 12 of the 82 cattle listed on the Canadian
health certificate definitely accounted for including:
· The index cow
· Nine known to be in the index herd
· Two animals on a Mattawa premises
USDA also believes that one of the animals listed on the health
certificate remained in Canada and did not enter the United
States.
Tracebacks of the other 69 animals that entered the United
States continues. USDA has good leads on the whereabouts of
many of these animals.
A Japanese delegation arrives in the United States to participate
in trade talks. |
| January
8 |
USDA
finishes disposal of the carcasses of the depopulated calves
by landfill. None of the carcasses entered the human food
supply or were rendered.
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has
submitted three rules and one notice for publication in the
Federal Register on Monday, January 12, 2003. The rules and
notice are:
· An interim final rule declaring that the Specified
Risk Materials, the skull, brain, trigeminal ganglia, eyes,
vertebral column, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of cattle
30 months of age or older, and the small intestine of all
cattle are specified risk materials, and prohibited in the
food supply. (Tonsils were already excluded). These prohibitions
will be effective immediately upon publication in the Federal
Register. · An interim final rule expanding on the
prohibition of central nervous system tissues in advanced
meat recovery products.· A final rule to prohibit air
injection stunning.· A notice announcing that FSIS
inspectors will not mark ambulatory cattle that have been
targeted for BSE surveillance testing as “inspected
and passed” until negative test results are obtained. |
| January
9 |
USDA
announces it will begin accepting license applications for
BSE tests. Heretofore, USDA’s Center for Veterinary
Biologics has been accepting and reviewing data from companies
that have various rapid tests, but has not formally accepted
applications for licensing. USDA announces it will soon begin
to remove a limited number of cows from the index herd in
Mabton, Washington. At this time, USDA will most likely remove
approximately 130 animals from this herd that contains approximately
4,000 dairy cows. To summarize results thus far from the epidemiological
investigation:
Of the 81 cows that came from Canada with the positive cow:
. One is the positive cow
. Two are under a hold order at a premises in Mattawa
. USDA believes 7 may have gone to another dairy and is working
to determine if those animals are still there
. Nine are in the index herd
. Potentially some of the remaining cows that came in that
shipment are on the index premises, but at this time the identity
of these animals has not been confirmed. |
| January
10 |
USDA
personnel begin a selective depopulation of the index herd.
Nine animals from the index herd are transported, humanely
euthanized, and sampled. |
| January
12 |
FSIS’
new rules on product holding, specified risk material, advanced
meat recovery, and air injection stunning become effective.USDA
has traced a third animal to the herd in Mattawa, Washington.
Two animals were previously traced to this herd. The three
animals in the Mattawa herd will be removed. ]A declaration
of extraordinary emergency, signed by Secretary Veneman, is
published in the Federal Register. This declaration of extraordinary
emergency authorizes the Secretary to (1) hold, seize, treat,
apply other remedial actions to, destroy (including preventative
slaughter), or otherwise dispose of, any animal, article,
facility, or means of conveyance if the Secretary determines
the action is necessary to prevent the dissemination of BSE
and (2) prohibit or restrict the movement or use within the
State of Washington, or any portion of the State of Washington,
of any animal or article, means of conveyance, or facility
if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction
is necessary to prevent the dissemination of BSE.
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| January
13 |
USDA
has confirmed that one animal has gone to a dairy in Quincy,
Washington. USDA believes that as many as seven animals may
have been sent to this facility; we are working to confirm
how many may remain at this facility. The State has placed
a hold on this facility in order to aid the investigation.
Selective depopulation of the index herd continues. USDA plans
to transport, humanely euthanize, and test approximately 130
animals in the index herd. |
| January
14 |
Selective
depopulation of the index herd continues. To date, 89 animals
from the index premises have been euthanized and tested. Results
of the tests will be reported as soon as they are available. |
| January
15 |
USDA’s
investigation on the 81 cows that came from Canada continues.
Five additional animals have been located at a facility located
in Connell, Washington. The State has placed a hold on the
facility in order to facilitate the investigation. In total,
19 of the 81 cows that came from Canada have been located.
Selective depopulation of the index herd, which began on Saturday,
January 10, is expected to be completed today. USDA plans
to transport, humanely euthanize, and test a total of 129
animals in the index herd. To date, 119 animals from the index
premises have been euthanized and tested. To date, 28 samples
have completed testing; results have been negative.
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| January
16 |
USDA
locates 3 animals that are part of a group of 17 heifers originally
dispersed from the Canadian source herd in August 2001. The
3 animals were mentioned by Canada’s
chief veterinarian during the January 6, 2004, technical conference
call with USDA’s Dr. Ron DeHaven. The 17 animals are
separate from the 81 animals that arrived in the
United States from Canada along with the index animal. The
3 animals were found at the Quincy, Washington, dairy where
1 of the 81 animals has also been located.
APHIS continues to work to determine whether the remaining
14 animals entered the United States. Delegations from Mexico
and Canada meet with USDA officials in Washington, D.C. to
discuss issues related to BSE.
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| January
17 |
USDA
begins selective depopulation operations on the facility in
Mattawa. |
| January
18 |
USDA’s
investigation on the 81 cows that came from Canada continues.
Three additional animals are located at a facility in Tenino,
Washington, and one additional animal is found in Connell,
Washington. Washington State places a hold on the Tenino facility
in order to facilitate the ongoing investigation. In total,
23 of the 81 cows that came from Canada have been located.
USDA completes the selective depopulation of 129 animals from
the index herd. To date, 30 samples from the index herd have
completed testing; results have been negative for BSE.
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| January
19 |
USDA
completes selective depopulation operations on the facility
in Mattawa, Washington. To date, USDA has transported and
sampled a total of 39 animals from this
facility. To date, 121 samples taken from the depopulated
index herd have completed testing; results have been negative
for BSE.
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January
20
|
USDA
personnel locate another animal that is part of a group of
17 heifers originally dispersed from the Canadian source herd
in August 2001. The animal was found at a Boardman, Oregon,
facility. It is not unusual for an epidemilogical investigation
to cover multiple States. These 17 animals were mentioned
by Dr. Brian Evans, Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada, in
the January 6, 2004, technical briefing and are not part of
the original 81 animals. APHIS investigators have now located
four from this group of 17. Three others were located at the
Quincy facility. Investigators are still determining whether
the remaining 13 animals entered the United States.
Selective depopulation operations on the facility in Mattawa
and the index herd have been completed. USDA has transported
and sampled a total of 39 animals from the Mattawa facility
and 131 animals from the index premises. To date, 129 samples
from the index herd have completed testing; results have been
negative for BSE. Results from the Mattawa herd are not yet
available.Senior U.S. government officials continue talks
with trading partners and this week are meeting with officials
in Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong and South Korea to discuss
BSE related issues.
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