Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Updated: 2017-06-13

Overview

Mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) is a brain disorder in cattle. Humans may acquire the disorder by eating diseased meat. In humans, the disorder is called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Symptoms

CJD ultimately leads to dementia and death. The condition is rare.

Treatments

Treatment focuses on keeping the person as comfortable as possible.