Canada confirms new mad cow case

VANCOUVER, B.C. – A new case of mad cow disease has been confirmed in Canada, its 13th case since 2003.

It’s the third case in British Columbia in the last three years.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Monday the latest case of mad cow disease is not an indication of a widespread epidemic.

The inspection agency also says no part of the animal entered the human food system.

Agency veterinarian George Luterbach says Canada has been assessed by the World Organization for Animal Health and given a controlled-risk status, indicating it has the proper checks and balances to control the disease.

The inspection agency hasn’t said where the infected cow is located, but an investigation is under way to determine where the cow was born.

In 2006 and 2007 the disease was found in two British Columbia dairy cows, and in both cases the agency said the infection was caused by contaminated feed.