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BSE first identified
A dairy cow in Sussex was found to be infected with BSE. It was nicknamed 'mad cow disease' as a result of the cows' erratic behaviour. This was the first confirmed case, although it is suspected that the first infection could have occurred during the 1970s. This is also when the monitoring of BSE cases started. -
Chief Medical Officer notified of BSE
Sir Donald Acheson, the CMO of the UK, was informed of the existence of BSE. He created the Southwood Working Party, whose role was to advise on the BSE epidemic. They recommended that all cattle showing symptoms should be slaughtered. -
Slaughter of infected cattle
The UK government creates and implements a policy for the slaughter of all cattle showing symptoms of BSE -
EU restricts British cattle import and export
The EU bans the movement of British cattle born before July 1988 as well as the offspring of infected cattle outside of the United Kingdom. -
BSE declared to be of low threat
In a report to the government, the UK CMO's Southwood Working Party declared that BSE was unlikely to pass to humans, and was of minimal threat to the public. -
The Bovine Offal (Prohibition) Regulations 1989
Banned the use of certain parts of cattle known to be of higher risk of transmitting BSE from being used in the production of animal feed, Specified Bovine Offal (SPO). This included parts such as the brain, spinal cord and certain other tissues from cattle over 6 moths old. -
BSE confirmed to spread to other animals
A domestic cat was confirmed to have been infected with spongiform encephalopathy, thought to have come from beef products present in cat food. This confirmed that BSE also had the potential to pass to humans. -
Minister of Agriculture reassures public
The Minister of Agriculture, John Gummer, eats a British hamburger with his daughter in front of the press as 'proof' that beef was safe to eat. -
National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit founded
A national patient advocacy and research unit is set up in Edinburgh to monitor changes in the patterns of disease in CJD and explore possible links with BSE. -
Period: to
Peak numbers of BSE cases
Over 100,000 cases of BSE have been reported at this point, with 1992 (36,680 confirmed cases) and 1993 (34,370 confirmed cases) being the two worst years. -
Period: to
Four Dairy farmers contract vCJD
During this time period, there were four confirmed cases of dairy farmers with BSE infected herds contracting the disease. -
First known human victim of BSE
Stephen Churchill, a 19-year old man, is the first confirmed victim of BSE, after contracting vCJD from (most likely) eating infected beef. -
UK Government acknowledges that humans can contract BSE
Research is published in March of 1996 showing a link between vCJD (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) and BSE. On the 20th of March 1996, Secretary of State for Health, Stephen Dorrell announced in parliament that 10 people had been infected with vCJD, and that the likely cause was that they had contracted BSE. -
All cattle over 30 months old slaughtered
As well as challenging the European Commission's decision to place a blanket ban on all British beef exports, the UK introduces a scheme to cull all cattle over 30 months of age. Over 4.4 million cattle were slaughtered and incinerated. -
EU bans all British beef imports
The European commission places a blanket ban on the export of all British beef products worldwide, following a confirmed link between BSE and vCJD. This included all forms of bovine products, including veal/beef, live animals and dairy. -
More evidence for link between BSE and vCJD
A group of Neurologists let by M.E. Bruce conducts experiments on mice in order to prove that BSE exposure causes vCJD in other animals. This link was confirmed, and the study published. -
Further restriction on beef sales
The sale of 'beef-on-the-bone' is banned. This included any cuts of beef that contained bone, such as T-bone steaks and ribs, as there was thought to be increased risk of contracting BSE from bone and especially the spinal cord. -
Inquiry started into government handling of BSE
An inquiry into the handling of BSE and cases of vCJD from the start of the epidemic until 1996 starts. This aimed to investigate the government's response to the BSE epidemic, including legislative action and the treatment of victims of vCJD. -
European Commission lifts ban on British beef exports
With the exception of France, the EU allows the UK to once again export British beef to the EU and the rest of the world. -
Beef-on-the-bone ban lifted
The UK begins to once again allow the sales of joints of beef containing the bone of the animal. -
vCJD found to be transmissible in vitro
A mother who tested positive for vCJD gives birth to a baby who also tested positive for the disease, proving that the disease is transmissible during pregnancy. -
Results of Government Enquiry published
The results of the 1998 inquiry into the government handling of BSE are published. This concluded that there were significant failures in the government's response to the epidemic, including delay of implementation of control measures, and a lack of transparency about the risks of the disease to the public. It called for improvements in food safety and agricultural practises to prevent similar crises in the future.