US struggles with mad cow outbreak in California

The United States (US) scrambled on Wednesday to contain the fallout from the discovery of mad cow disease in California as the top beef exporter insisted the outbreak posed no threat to consumers.

The US Department of Agriculture on Tuesday reported the country's fourth-ever case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), but stressed the outbreak was contained and no contaminated meat had entered the food chain.

The infected dairy cow from central California, uncovered on Monday, 'at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health,' officials insisted.

BSE cannot be transmitted through milk. 'USDA remains confident in the health of the national herd and the safety of beef and dairy products. As the epidemiological investigation progresses, USDA will continue to communicate findings in a timely and transparent manner.'

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