MAD COW DISEASE
Scientifically known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
DESCRIPTION
A progressive neurological disorder that is contracted from an uncommon source called a prion, that is as of yet, not well understood. In humans, it becomes another Prion-caused disease, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which causes Nervous system deterioration and death. Contracted from consuming prions (similar to proteins) parts of the nervous system of an infected animal.
DIAGNOSIS
No form of specific diagnosis is yet available. When vCJD is suspected, physicians will rule out other forms of dementia with similar symptoms. MRI scans and other tests will be done to rule out all other possible diseases, although the only way to confirm vCJD is brain biopsy/autopsy. The diagnosis does not help the person, so the only reason to undergo a biopsy is to rule out other treatable conditions.
FREQUENCY
The disease is very rare in humans now that Mad Cow Disease is usually contained and kept away from human consumers whenever a cow contracts it.
Target Audience is anyone who consumes the infected food.
DISEASE COURSE
The disease is very similar to other forms of dementia, and so the symptoms will be similar, with nervous system breakdown, and eventual death.