It is an economic concern because it is a viral disease of cattle and swine with broad implications to the production levels of the local husbandry industry. It also affects sheep, goats, deer and other cloven-hoofed animals. Further, there have been no documented cases involving meat supplies from the U.S. or Canada. Mad Cow Disease affects the brain, spinal cord and central nervous system of cattle. The disease is fatal to the animal.
Humans can contract the disease by eating tainted meat, although the risk of doing so is very low.
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