Livestock and Human Health Issues

The following background information is recommended by faculty at the University of Minnesota. As developments occur, we will add information and resources to this website.

Foot–and–Mouth Disease - is highly contagious and affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, deer, and other cloven-hoofed animals. The United States has been free of foot–and–mouth disease since 1929. It is extremely rare for humans to be infected and symptoms are mild when they occur.
Mad Cow Disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or BSE) - is a chronic, slowly progressive, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle. BSE has not been found in the United States. BSE has been linked to a variant form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans.
E. coli - is a bacteria that can be transmitted to meat during food processing and by unsanitary home preparation methods, and can cause severe illness and sometimes death. E.coli bacteria can be controlled by thorough cooking.

Foot–and–Mouth Disease

U.S. Department of Agriculture—most current information
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/fmd/

Guide to Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Foot-and-mouth disease spreads easily from animal to animal—Extension news release

Foot-and-mouth disease highlights need for biosecurity on farms—Extension news release

Background Information from the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota
View web document.
Download Word document.

Minnesota Board of Animal Health: 651-296-2942

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, United Kingdom

University of Minnesota Biosecurity Protocols

Public Events

Precautions for Travelers and Foreign Visitors from FMD Infected Countries

Vendors and Users of Research Animals

Farm Visitors

Students and Faculty

Mad Cow Disease

U.S. Department of Agriculture—Most current information
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/bse/

Guides to Mad Cow Disease, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Mad Cow Disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy)
Background Information from the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota
View web document.
Download Word document.

Minnesota Board of Animal Health: 651-296-2942

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, United Kingdom

Livestock producers hope 'mad cow disease' will not reach U.S.—Extension news release

E. coli

E. coli watch: Ground beef patties should be cooked to 160 degrees—Extension news release

Focus On Ground Beef
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Preventing Illness from E. coli—Info-U document

Safe Handling of Raw Meat and Poultry—Info-U document

Food Safety: Time and Temperature Make a Difference—Info-U document

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