Definition & Meaning of "Bovine spongiform encephalopathy"

What is "bovine spongiform encephalitis"?

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, is a rare and deadly neurological disease that affects cattle. It is caused by abnormal proteins called prions, which damage the brain and spinal cord tissues, leading to severe neurological symptoms. Cattle with BSE show signs of altered behavior, lack of coordination, difficulty walking, and weight loss. The disease is spread through the consumption of contaminated feed containing infected animal parts. BSE can also be a risk to humans if infected beef products are consumed, leading to a variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), a rare and deadly brain disorder. Strict regulations and monitoring of animal feed and products help control and prevent the spread of BSE.