What is it?
Since BBQ Beef BAK KWA uses premium beef imports especially from countries like the United States of America, it is of utmost importance to know about the relationship between the beef from the cows and as well as the widely renowned, yet notorious, Mad Cow Disease or otherwise known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
Since BBQ Beef BAK KWA uses premium beef imports especially from countries like the United States of America, it is of utmost importance to know about the relationship between the beef from the cows and as well as the widely renowned, yet notorious, Mad Cow Disease or otherwise known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
Mooo. Poor cow.
When did it come about?
Since 1986 when the first case of Mad Cow Disease surfaced till 1997, there has been a recorded number of 170,000 cases of the disease among the 1,000,000 cattle infected by contaminated feed. This happened in the UK and resulted in a global uproar on the imports and exports of beef. Peaking at year 1992, occurrence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy has, fortunately, rapidly declined. A ruminant feed ban in 1988 probably assisted in the rapid decline in the epidemic outbreak.
What are the consequences if we consume infected cattle?
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) which is derived from Mad Cow Disease after consumption of infected beef, is a rare, degenerative disease that occurs in human beings. Despite its severity, it only occurs only in one in a million people. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, it is stated that "On set of symptoms occurs about age 60, and about 90 percent of individuals die within a year." Based on this statement, we can derive the fact that this disease, as uncommon as it is, can still prove to be a devastating epidemic due to its severity in terms of life and death.
Additionally, "People may have failing memory, behavioral changes, lack of coordination and visual disturbances in the early stages; as it progresses, mental deterioration becomes pronounced and involuntary movements, blindness, weakness of extremities, and coma may occur." This further proves the fact that this disease is one disease (epidemic-wise), that we human beings should not ignore. These symptoms are usually the cause of death as they eventually "lose the ability to move, speak and they enter comatose." These factors can often result in infections like pneumonia which leads to death.
Since 1986 when the first case of Mad Cow Disease surfaced till 1997, there has been a recorded number of 170,000 cases of the disease among the 1,000,000 cattle infected by contaminated feed. This happened in the UK and resulted in a global uproar on the imports and exports of beef. Peaking at year 1992, occurrence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy has, fortunately, rapidly declined. A ruminant feed ban in 1988 probably assisted in the rapid decline in the epidemic outbreak.
What are the consequences if we consume infected cattle?
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) which is derived from Mad Cow Disease after consumption of infected beef, is a rare, degenerative disease that occurs in human beings. Despite its severity, it only occurs only in one in a million people. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, it is stated that "On set of symptoms occurs about age 60, and about 90 percent of individuals die within a year." Based on this statement, we can derive the fact that this disease, as uncommon as it is, can still prove to be a devastating epidemic due to its severity in terms of life and death.
Additionally, "People may have failing memory, behavioral changes, lack of coordination and visual disturbances in the early stages; as it progresses, mental deterioration becomes pronounced and involuntary movements, blindness, weakness of extremities, and coma may occur." This further proves the fact that this disease is one disease (epidemic-wise), that we human beings should not ignore. These symptoms are usually the cause of death as they eventually "lose the ability to move, speak and they enter comatose." These factors can often result in infections like pneumonia which leads to death.
An infected prion protein
So how did the disease spread to the human beings?
A type of protein known as prion is known to have cause this disease and they are infectious, misfolded proteins that result in the conversion of properly folded proteins to their misfolded form. Transmission of this type of protein is usually by consuming contaminated beef with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and other minor sources like hereditary. As the conversion of properly folded proteins to their misfolded forms increases exponential, large mass of prions are formed and this result in major cell damages; noticeably in brain and spinal tissues.
Known causes of this disease is by the consumption of the infected portions of beef, mostly nervous tissues and brain tissues and even digestive tract of infected carcasses. Ground beef has a possibility of carrying the infectious prion proteins as well! This means that Bak Kwa (BBQ beef) has a tendency to contain such prion proteins that may result in the disease! However since the bans on imported beef have been implemented, the incidences of such diseases were very rare and as such, beef in Singapore are free from these fatal prion proteins. Feel free to consume as much as you want!
A type of protein known as prion is known to have cause this disease and they are infectious, misfolded proteins that result in the conversion of properly folded proteins to their misfolded form. Transmission of this type of protein is usually by consuming contaminated beef with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and other minor sources like hereditary. As the conversion of properly folded proteins to their misfolded forms increases exponential, large mass of prions are formed and this result in major cell damages; noticeably in brain and spinal tissues.
Known causes of this disease is by the consumption of the infected portions of beef, mostly nervous tissues and brain tissues and even digestive tract of infected carcasses. Ground beef has a possibility of carrying the infectious prion proteins as well! This means that Bak Kwa (BBQ beef) has a tendency to contain such prion proteins that may result in the disease! However since the bans on imported beef have been implemented, the incidences of such diseases were very rare and as such, beef in Singapore are free from these fatal prion proteins. Feel free to consume as much as you want!
Did someone say BBQ BEEF?!
Therefore;
Even though it has cost many lives and resulted in many families being torn apart, BSE and CJD serve as a reminder to us, human beings that we should not take everything for granted and to be remained informed of any infectious diseases that may hurt or harm the close ones around us.
Written by: Chew Kia Yong TA04 Group1 (0905337B)
Therefore;
Even though it has cost many lives and resulted in many families being torn apart, BSE and CJD serve as a reminder to us, human beings that we should not take everything for granted and to be remained informed of any infectious diseases that may hurt or harm the close ones around us.
Written by: Chew Kia Yong TA04 Group1 (0905337B)
