Who conducts the ongoing BSE surveillance program in the United States?

Who conducts the ongoing BSE surveillance program in the United States?

• A. Is carried out by USDA and does not involve private practitioners
• B. Involves accredited veterinarians submitting appropriate samples from high-risk animals
• C. Is critical for food safety
• D. Tests a high percentage of calves going to slaughter before they enter the food chain

Answer: (B)

Targeted sampling by accredited veterinarians is the backbone of the ongoing BSE surveillance program in the United States. Accredited vets, approved by USDA-APHIS, collect tissue samples from cattle considered high risk—such as downer animals, those showing neurological signs, or cattle that die or are culled—and submit these samples to designated laboratories for testing. This system ensures that surveillance focuses on the most informative animals and uses specialized labs and assays (screening tests followed by confirmatory tests) to detect any BSE presence. While the program supports food safety, the essential mechanism is the involvement of accredited veterinarians who gather and forward samples, rather than sampling a broad slaughter-age population or relying solely on USDA staff.

Targeted sampling by accredited veterinarians is the backbone of the ongoing BSE surveillance program in the United States. Accredited vets, approved by USDA-APHIS, collect tissue samples from cattle considered high risk—such as downer animals, those showing neurological signs, or cattle that die or are culled—and submit these samples to designated laboratories for testing. This system ensures that surveillance focuses on the most informative animals and uses specialized labs and assays (screening tests followed by confirmatory tests) to detect any BSE presence. While the program supports food safety, the essential mechanism is the involvement of accredited veterinarians who gather and forward samples, rather than sampling a broad slaughter-age population or relying solely on USDA staff.