Volume 2: Science
5. Diagnosis and therapy

5.1 The appearance from 1991 of BSE in cattle born after the introduction of the ruminant feed ban indicated that the ban, though achieving a considerable reduction in the incidence of BSE, had not been effective in eradicating it. ¹ This fact, combined with the long incubation period of BSE, again demonstrated that subclinical cases were entering the human or animal food chains. The development of a diagnostic test that could detect subclinical cases of BSE would help to prevent this from happening. The early diagnosis of vCJD would also be valuable in order to minimise the risk of transmission and allow possible therapy before the central nervous system is damaged.

5.2 This section describes key methodologies and techniques developed since 1986 that are relevant to the diagnosis and therapy of BSE and vCJD. First, we consider the method adopted by the UK, and more recently by the EU, to detect ruminant protein in animal feedstuffs; this was part of the package of policies implemented to halt the UK's BSE epidemic. Second, we consider developments in post-mortem and ante-mortem diagnosis of BSE and vCJD. Finally, we consider development in treatments for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).