[Boston-editorial] new feature: Second Case of Mad Cow Disease Hits the U.S.

[Matthew Williams]

This is not specifically local, but should be of general interest to 
people, especially those who eat meat. -- Matt

Second Case of Mad Cow Disease Hits the U.S.
by homefries,

AUDIO: A year and a half after the first case of mad cow disease was 
discovered in this country, the U.S. government came forward Friday, 
June 24th, with news of the second case of Mad Cow Disease in the US. 
According to an initial report, this cow, at least eight years old, was 
found crippled and covered in manure, apparently suffering from 
dementia. She was discovered last November. U.S. officials took tissue 
samples, incinerated her corpse, and declared her free of the disease 
after initial tests. However, a recent round of tests conducted at a 
lab in England determined this cow did have the disease.

Meanwhile, outbreaks of the bird flu loom on the horizon. While 
relatively harmless levels of the flu, which is carried by chickens, 
cycle through U.S. farms on a regular basis, very harmful levels may 
appear in U.S. chickens soon. Two bird flu pandemics actually claimed 
the lives of over 100, 000 people in the U.S. during the 20th century. 
Some researchers are warning that another pandemic is coming again.

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03 Jul 2005 | Filed under: News / Environment : Social Welfare