[Ten years of BSE in Switzerland. The development of an extraordinary disease].
The first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Switzerland was diagnosed in November 1990. BSE is--in particular considering its eradication--different from many other livestock diseases. Strict disease control measures were taken from the very beginning by the Swiss authorities in order to protect public as well as animal health. In addition, BSE has stimulated enormous media interest and public concern. The occurrence of the born after the ban (BAB) cases, increasing questions about the zoonotic potential of the disease and trade restrictions against Switzerland led to the "BSE-crisis". In 1999, Switzerland internationally took a leading role in the surveillance of BSE by active investigation of targeted risk population.
Perler
L
L
Bundesamt für Veterinärwesen, Postfach, 3003 Bern-Liebefeld. lukas.perler@bvet.admin.ch
Heim
D
D
Geiser
F
F
Müller
H K
HK
Kihm
U
U
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D016643:Encephalopathy, Bovine Spongiform / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology