PENN STATE SPECIALISTS CAN ADDRESS BSE (MAD COW DISEASE) ISSUES

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The first known U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (often called "mad cow disease") recently was confirmed in a dairy cow in Washington state. Because the agents that cause BSE occur in brain and spinal tissue -- which typically does not enter the food supply -- and are not found in whole muscle cuts of meat, most experts agree that the risk to American consumers from BSE is extremely low. However, the loss of export markets and a drop in consumer confidence in American beef could cost the U.S. beef and dairy industries billions of dollars in losses.

Faculty researchers and extension specialists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences can speak knowledgably about BSE and other animal diseases and how they affect livestock and dairy production, food safety and agricultural markets. Feel free to contact them for expert comment and information:

David Wolfgang (814-863-5849), extension veterinarian/field studies director/senior research associate in veterinary science. Among Wolfgang's research interests are herd health and disease prevention and farm-based improvements to food quality and safety.

Robert Van Saun (814-865-6995), extension veterinarian/associate professor of veterinary science. Van Saun's area of expertise is the link between animal nutrition and health. He can address feeding issues, including the ban on ruminant proteins in animal feeds to prevent the spread of BSE.

Bhushan Jayarao (814-863-5939), extension veterinarian/assistant professor of veterinary science. Jayarao's research focuses on farm-based food safety and public health, including farm management practices to prevent animal diseases and reduce pathogens in food animals and their products.

William Henning (814-863-3670), professor of animal science/extension meats specialist. Henning is an expert on meat animal production and meat processing as it relates to product quality and safety.

Louis Moore (814-865-0460), professor of agricultural economics. Moore can discuss the economic implications of BSE for the U.S. livestock and meat industries.

For more information, visit the Web at http://www.vetsci.psu.edu/Ext/Diseases/Bse/index.htm.

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Chuck Gill Office 814-863-2713 FAX 814-863-9877