TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES IN FOOD ANIMALS - HUMAN FOOD SAFETY AND ANIMAL FEED SAFETY CONCERNS FOR VETERINARIANS

This article presents a brief overview of transmissible spongiform enc ephalopathies (TSEs) using examples of diseases that provide evidence supporting oral transmission of the agent. Agent theories are describe d briefly in general terms. Scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), chronic wasting disease, and transmissible mink encephalopathy are discussed to improve disease recognition by the food animal practi tioner. Control programs for scrapie and BSE are described and the rol e of the veterinarian in animal feed and human food safety is related to TSEs.