A continuing decline in the observed cases of BSE is reported in official tables. The following figures are given for the period to the end of October 1999. BSE Enforcement Bulletin 40, MAFF, October 1999. The dates refer to the year when the animal was first suspected of harbouring the disease, and the figures are for animals finally confirmed as having the disease.
Recent figures are still provisional.
There is also the possibility of serious under-reporting developing in the last few years, as there are substantial financial advantages attached to herds with no known cases. Farmers in possession of such a herd may prefer to send to the abattoir any animals showing any half-suspicious symptoms, without calling a vet. Forty eight definite and probable cases of vCJD have now been reported in the UK, plus two cases in France and one in Ireland. On the basis of current figures for referrals there are no obvious signs of a dramatic increase or decrease in CJD cases, the average monthly number being only slightly above those for the last two years. The figure is based on the unexpected rise in the number of cases of dementias and neurodegenerative disorders recorded during that period after more than a decade of declining numbers.