Poster
06-28-2004, 02:04 PM
The USDA has announced that another animal has “a possibility” of being infected with mad cow disease. The reason for the uncertainty is that the new rapid test being used has a higher rate of false positives. A detailed test is underway now, with results being available in 4-7 days. The government began using rapid test kits in an effort to test more cattle (an additional 200,000 this year), but with the higher rate of false positives, a more detailed test is necessary. “USDA officials said the animal could "very likely" turn out to be healthy.” According to the USDA there is no public heath risk because the animal never entered into the human food chain or feed chain.
"Because the test may very well turn out to be negative, we're not going to disclose information at this time," USDA's chief veterinarian, John Clifford, told reporters.
“U.S. meat groups have urged the USDA to refrain from publishing inconclusive test results because of the affect the news would have on the markets. The USDA said publishing this information was the best way to ensure transparency on market-sensitive news.”
For more information see: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=570&ncid=753&e=7&u=/nm/20040626/sc_nm/madcow_usa_dc
"Because the test may very well turn out to be negative, we're not going to disclose information at this time," USDA's chief veterinarian, John Clifford, told reporters.
“U.S. meat groups have urged the USDA to refrain from publishing inconclusive test results because of the affect the news would have on the markets. The USDA said publishing this information was the best way to ensure transparency on market-sensitive news.”
For more information see: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=570&ncid=753&e=7&u=/nm/20040626/sc_nm/madcow_usa_dc