The mad cow scare might have prompted some Americans to second-guess their red meat consumption, but MSU officials say there's no need to panic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one cow in Washington state was diagnosed with the debilitating nervous system disease in late December.
University officials say they are not concerned about the infected cow for national safety reasons, but hope to gain more knowledge about mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
"I'm concerned about any case of this type from a scientific basis because I would like to know the history of the animal that became sick," said Al Booren, food science and human nutrition professor and specialist in meat science. "That is very important in this case, to track and make sure this never happens again."
In humans, the disease affects the nervous tissue and causes symptoms such as memory loss, speech abnormalities and other neurological symptoms. It often results in death.
Dan Grooms, a veterinarian in MSU's Large Animal Clinic, said mad cow disease historically was spread through animal feed. After an animal was harvested, its waste products would be cooked and fed to other animals. That practice was banned in 1997 and now animals are fed plant-derived protein.
"The public needs to know precautions have been put in place a long time ago to prevent an (infected) cow from getting here, and if it happens accidentally, it is not going to spread," Grooms said.
MSU has about 1,000 dairy and beef cows on campus for teaching and research, most of which are born on campus, said Dan Buskirk, associate professor of animal science and beef extension specialist.
All animal research at MSU is subject to approval by the All-University Committee on Animal Use and Care. The 10-person committee approves research project proposals, inspects facilities and has a veterinary member to oversee animal care.
MSU's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health conducts tests on infected animals for diseases such as the West Nile Virus. The center's director, Willie Reed, said they don't test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
Instead, if they receive any samples that are questionable, they forward them to the United States Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. Reed said the center in Iowa is the only place in the nation where cows are tested for the disease.
MSU has the capabilities to test the samples, but the USDA has not authorized state diagnostic laboratories to do the testing, he said.
"At least not yet," Reed said.
And Reed said there's no need for mass hysteria about the disease.
"It's likely contained in Washington state," he said. "There's no indication that there's a national problem, and there is minimal risk in eating beef in the United States."
Even so, housing officials said they won't take any risks.
"I just made sure that, for whatever reason, we hadn't gone outside our geographical area to purchase beef," said Chuck Gagliano, vice president of Housing and Food Services. "But it doesn't come from anywhere out west."
But for people like Lizabeth Merrick, who have a family to care for, mad cow disease remains an issue.
"I have three little ones at home," the psychology junior said. "I have definitely cut back on beef."
Gagliano said he hasn't had any students approach him with concerns about the safety of the meat used in the cafeteria, and stressed that they take the issue very seriously.
"At this point, there's no reason to express concern," he said.
Staff writer Laura Collins contributed to this report
Amy Bartner can be reached at bartnera@msu.edu
Meghan Gilbert can be reached at gilbe109@msu.edu
