Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as "mad cow disease," is a fatal brain disorder in cattle caused by misfolded proteins called prions. These prions damage brain tissue, leading to symptoms like changes in behavior, coordination problems, and eventual death. BSE gained attention in the 1980s and 90s due to its link to a variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, which can result from consuming infected beef products. To prevent its spread, strict regulations on cattle feed and meat products were implemented globally, significantly reducing the incidence of BSE.