Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

DEFA coordinates the testing of "Fallen Stock"; following the international monitoring requirements for BSE. Animals born after 1/1/1998 and over 48 months of age that die on the farm are tested at the processing plant: brain stem samples are taken and submitted to a UK laboratory.

The results are collated and submitted annually to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) via DEFRA. The OIE reporting year runs from 1 November to 31 October.

Please see below for sampling results over recent years:

Age groups	Nov 12 to Oct 13	Nov 13 to Oct 14	Nov 14 to Oct 15	Nov 15 to Oct 16	Nov 17 to Oct 18	Nov 18 to Oct 19	Nov 19 to Oct 20
<2 years	0	1	1	1	0	5	6
≥2 and <4 years	2	6	6	3	1	8	5
≥4 and <7 years	16	27	33	23	17	81	73
≥7 and <9 years	8	27	21	10	16	50	49
≥9 years	19	50	56	23	32	87	88
Total	45	111	117	60	66	231	221
Positive	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Negative	45	111	117	60	66	231	221
Total	45	111	117	60	66	231	221

History:

BSE was first diagnosed in November 1986 at the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge. The two cows concerned came from herds in different parts of England, but showed the same abnormal neurological symptoms.

The epidemic reached its peak in 1992. Since then the number of cases has decreased. There are now fewer than 4 suspected clinical BSE cases restricted per week in Great Britain, compared to more than 850 per week in 1992.

The average incubation period of BSE is five years, and only very rarely indeed do animals under three years of age display symptoms. This suggests that cattle in Great Britain first became infected in the early 1980s.

The last known case of BSE in the Isle of Man was 1999.

bse cases recorded

This page will be updated annually.

If you have any queries, please contact Agriculture@gov.im

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