Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)

Australia's Response to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in animals, commonly known as 'Mad Cow Disease'

Entry to the Department's web pages on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in animals, commonly known as ‘Mad Cow Disease', and its links to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans.

Welcome to the Department of Health and Ageing’s website detailing Australia's response to Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and its links to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).

Since the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle herds in the UK and its relationship to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, it has become clear that possible exposure to BSE through international trade in contaminated beef products could potentially pose a risk of vCJD in humans.

For this reason, there is great effort throughout the world to research and implement both animal and human health protection measures.

This website has been developed to provide comprehensive, accurate information on measures taken by the Australian Government to protect the health of the Australian public.