There have never been any reported cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE) being transmitted to calves or people via cows milk and the prion has
never been isolated in cows milk.  There are no quarantine bans worldwide on
the export or import of cows milk products based on BSE transmission
(although there are numerous quarantine restrictions due to other diseases
such as foot and mouth disease).

Of course this doesn't mean that there is absolutely no risk of cows
transmitting BSE to their calves via their milk.  No one would be game to
make this type of guarantee.  It just appears that the possibility of
transmission via milk is extremely low.

From this information, one could assume that the risk transmission of CJD to
human infants via breastmilk would also be very low, but once again, who
would be game to make that guarantee?

Jane Parlett

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html