The United States is investigating a third suspected case of mad cow disease according to a statement issued by the Agriculture Department.
John Clifford, the department's chief veterinarian told reporters that additional tests are being conducted on the animal. The animal was at least 12 years old died of complications during calving. Clifford would not reveal where the animal lived.
'It is important to note that this animal poses no threat to the human food supply, because it did not enter the human or animal food chains,' Clifford told the Associated Press.
Mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), has been detected in only two animals in the United States. The human form of the disease is almost always deadly to humans who can contract BSE by eating an infected animal.
The first case of mad cow disease detected in the United States was diagnosed 19 months ago. Other countries including Japan stopped importing American beef as a result of the finding.
Right now, the beef industry is anxiously awaiting the results of the additional tests.
