New protocol for Atypical BSE investigations

EFSA has developed a laboratory protocol on how to conduct new studies for investigating the presence of the agent of Atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in tissues of infected cattle.

Guidance includes the number of animals to be tested, the tissues to be analysed and the methods to detect the agent of disease.

BSE belongs to a group of diseases called Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies that affect the brain and nervous system of humans and animals. BSE can be divided into Classical BSE and Atypical BSE.

Current knowledge on Atypical BSE is limited and the implementation of this protocol will contribute to fill information gaps.

• Protocol for further laboratory investigations into the distribution of infectivity of Atypical BSE