For the cow of cika cattle breed which died at the farm at Dolenjska region, the suspicion of BSE has been established immediately with a fast post-mortem test. The sample was then tested by western transfer analysis, and the disease was thus confirmed, as was reported by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety. It is the ninth case of BSE to be confirmed in Slovenia. The last case was confirmed in 2007, and all the cases showed the presence of classic BSE.

The cow had changed three owners
The investigation showed that the cow had changed three owners. According to the known data, the farm where the cow died had only one cow, while the farm on which the cow was whelped is presently rearing 12 heads of cattle.
The diseased cow had no offspring in the two last years before the BSE was confirmed. Within its birth and fodder cohort there were four more animals; one is still alive at a farm in Zasavje. This animal will be now, in compliance with the measures for eradicating the disease, slaughtered and disposed of innocuously.
The National Veterinary Institute will send the samples to the EU Reference Laboratory where additional tests will be performed in order to establish the form of the disease, classic or atypical BSE.

Since May 2013 Slovenia has the status of a country with negligible risk for BSE. Regardless of the form of the BSE the final diagnosis of test performed in Great Brittain, i.e. classic or atypical, the new case will not influence the status of Slovenia regarding BSE, as the cow was dropped more than 12 years ago.

A. Č., Al. Ma.
Translated by G. K.