Basic epidemiological characteristics of a new transmissible disease o
f cattle, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, are described in the prese
nt paper. The most probable theories of the origin of etiological agen
t and its characteristics an summarized. A brief survey of the occurre
nce of bovine spongiform encephalitis in Great Britain and throughout
the world is presented. The reservoir and routes of infection transmis
sion are described as well as the expected incubation period, infectiv
ity period, followed by measures taken to protect people's and animal
health.