A number of countries around the world have announced a ban on the import of American beef after the first case of mad cow disease was confirmed in the United States.

According to the AP, among the Latin American countries that announced the adoption of this measure today are Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Uruguay, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Earlier this week on the South American continent, Mexico, Brazil and Chile resorted to such measures.

On December 26, Egypt, Indonesia, Vietnam and Ukraine also introduced a ban on beef imports.

Russia has also imposed a complete ban on beef imports from the United States, effective December 24. However, according to the country's authorities, if American veterinarians and meat producers manage to localize the epidemic, Russia will be able to cancel the decision to ban the import of American beef.

Even earlier, South Korea, Singapore and Japan announced a ban on the import of American beef and its products.

At the same time, the representative of the European Commission, Antonia Mochan, said that the European Union will not yet take additional measures to limit the import of beef from the United States to those already in place.

It is worth noting that overall, American beef exports decreased by 90% - more than 20 countries introduced a temporary ban on its supplies. Such strict measures are due to the fact that the causative agent of “mad cow disease” can be transmitted to humans and cause a fatal disease. This disease is caused by special proteins that, when they enter the brain, significantly disrupt its functions.

However, US authorities say there is no danger to consumers. In support of this, the White House announced on December 26 that President George W. Bush continues to eat beef.

Meanwhile, in the US state of Washington, additional measures are being taken to prevent the spread of “mad cow disease” on livestock farms. The farm where the first U.S. case was discovered this week has another herd quarantined. Experts are trying to determine the source of the disease, AP reports.

In addition, two calves born from a cow that was diagnosed with spongiform encephalopathy were quarantined. As reported by the AP, citing data from the chief veterinarian of the US Department of Agriculture, Ronald DeHaven, one calf is on the same farm where its mother was slaughtered after the disease was detected, the second is on a different farm. The authorities were forced to quarantine the animals, despite the fact that the possibility of transmission of “mad cow disease” by inheritance from cow to calf is characterized by scientists as unlikely.

More countries are banning US beef imports