
Similar Diseases of Humans and Other Animals Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE)
HUMAN BEINGS Creutzfelt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Gerstmann-Straussler Syndrome Kuru Fatal Insomnia Variant CJD (vCJD)	ANIMALS Scrapie -goat and sheep Chronic wasting disease -deer and elk BSE/Mad Cow Disease-cattle
BSE belongs to a group of similar but distinct neurological diseases known as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). The TSEs were once considered unlikely to infect other species. However, many scientists believe people can get vCJD from eating mad cow meat. This is supported as the time frame from when BSE was first diagnosed in 1986 and the long incubation period of the BSE agent to the time whe vCJD was first reported in March 1996 in the United Kingdom correspond with one another. Similarities have been observed between the strain of the agent responsible for vCJD and those of BSE. Also laboratory studies with rats infected with these two agents show similar symptoms that are not apparent in comparison with a sample from the other TSE agents.

The Facts: Antibiotic overuse in animals & Risk of health problems in humans

Webb(2002)states in his article, "antibiotic use in animals", that chickens, pigs, and cows are routinely given "low doses of antibiotics such as penicillin, tetracycline and sulfonamides�. Invariably, this food is then ends up in the food that humans consume at the dinner table (Webb, 2002). These antibiotics are routinely given as a means to help promote growth and prevent illness in animals. Normally in humans, antibiotics are prescribed to help treat bacterial infections that cannot be left untreated. The Animal Health Institute, (as cited by Webb, 2002) who are biased towards the supply of animal antibiotics states that �animals [are given] low levels of antibiotics to grow fatter, more quickly and stay healthier longer than [animals] that are not on antibiotics." That�s great to know, but what about the fact that the more bacteria are exposed to an antibiotic, the more quickly the bacteria evolve to develop a resistance hence, we have many problems today with resistant strains of bacteria.

According to Webb (2002), so far the FDA has only issued a total ban on a certain kind of �fluoroquinolones, antibiotics used to treat animals because they are also used to treat humans�. It would seem that certain pharmaceutical companies are opposed to this proposal and a final decision could take a long time. The US and Canada has nothing to lose in banning antibiotic irresponsible use in animals. In Europe, they have phased out certain growth and antibiotic use in animals that has resulted in a �cleaner environment� and �less need for antibiotics" (Gorbach, as cited in Webb, 2002).

Comments for Reflection: It is clear from the sources of information provided that bacterial super-bugs are killed while cooking. But the antibiotics are probably not being destroyed. . . . Steps you can take to support your health and your environment?

Choose organic meat

Go vegetarian, it will save you from many diseases

Properly handle of food and cooking meat (all bacteria will be destroyed before ingesting)

Writing to your local Members of Parliament and to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to help push bans on overuse of antibiotics on animals.

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This page was created by Anne Bourque

Brown, P., Will, R.G., Bradley, R., Asher, D.M., & Detwile, L. (2001). Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease: Background, evolution, and current concerns. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 7 (1), 6+. Retrieved October 21, 2002 from, Expanded Academic ASAP database.

Webb, D. (2002). How now, mad cow? Assessing the disease risk for Americans. Environmental Nutrition 25(3). Retrieved October 30, 2002 from www.environmentalnutrition.com.

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