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Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine  Vol. 69 (4)  December 2014 Yakobson, B.A. 172
INTRODUCTION
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (1) are a group
of diseases caused by prions resulting in progressive degen-
erative brain disorders characterized by microscopic vacuol-
ization of the neurons of the central nervous system (1). Te
disease was frst recognized in the United Kingdom (UK)
in 1986 (2) and the report was published 31 October 1987.
In animals this group of diseases causes “scrapie” in sheep
and goats, “transmissible mink encephalopathy” in mink,
“wasting disease” in white tailed deer, elk, mule deer and
moose, “feline spongiform encephalitis” in cats,” exotic en-
cephalopathy” in nyala and oryxand and “bovine spongiform
encephalopathy” (BSE) in domestic cattle and also known as
“mad cow disease” (1).Te latter is a disease of cattle which
may present clinically in bovines as apprehension, hyper-
reactivity and ataxia (3).Tis group of diseases may also afect
humans through dietary exposure (3, 4, 5).
BSE and the variant Creutzfelt-Jakob disease were frst
recognized internationally as a growing public and animal
health burden in late eighties of the twentieth century (6).
Recognition of Israel by the Ofce International des Epizooties (OIE)
“Negligible” BSE Status under the Provisions of the
Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2011)
Yakobson, B.A.,
1
Perl, S.,
1
Edery, N.,
1
Shekhat, N.,
1
Lubashevsky, E.,
1
Yadin, H.,
1
Tal, M.,
2
Garazi, S.,
2
Abed El Khaliq, M.,
2
Galon, N.,
2
Nir, O.
3
and Shimshony, A.
3
1
Kimron Veterinary Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bet Dagan, Israel.
2
Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bet Dagan, Israel.
3
Former Chief Veterinary Ofcer.
*
Corresponding Author: Dr. Boris A. Yakobson, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bet Dagan, P.O.B 12 Israel,
50250, Email:borisy@moag.gov.il
ABSTRACT
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and the variant Creutzfelt-Jakob disease was frst recognized
internationally as a growing public and animal health burden in the late eighties of the twentieth century.
Israel undertook a proactive policy to prevent BSE introduction since the early stages of the UK event. One
case of BSE has been diagnosed in Israel in 2002, in a dairy cow born in Israel in 1992.Te control measures
according to OIE recommendations and EU regulations were applied. Te World Organization for Animal
Health (OIE) has collected scientifc data and drawn up a simplifed scheme for assessing risk category
by country or zone. In order to apply for recognition for the classifcation of the BSE status of Israel as
“Negligible” it was necessary to respond to a questionnaire of the OIE. Tis review article documents the
answers to the questionnaire presented to OIE Scientifc Committee and briefy discusses the measures
which prevented signifcant introduction of BSE from Europe to Israel. During the 82
nd
General Session of
the OIE, May 2013, the status of “Negligible risk” was granted to the State of Israel,cancelling restrictions
upon export of relevant animal products to countries with similar or higher risk level. Te BSE “Negligible”
status allowed Israel to discontinue the application of control measures with annual expenditure of about
two million US Dollars and cut the losses associated with the destruction of Specifed Risk Material (SRM).
Keywords: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Risk Assessment; Status Recognition; Negligible Risk.
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Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine  Vol. 69 (4)  December 2014 173 Recognition of Israel’s BSE Status
In order to protect public and animal health, the World
Organization for Animal Health (OIE) added BSE to the
list of reportable animal diseases and subsequently collected
scientifc data with the aim of updating the international
standards. A standardization of risk categories by country or
zone was updated and simplifed (9).
Israel responded to the initial information on BSE in the
UK by several precautionary measures. Following the frst
publication of the “scrapie-like” syndrome in the UK (2), Israel
banned imports of live cattle from the UK in April-May 1988
(7). Following the UK ban upon the sale, supply and feeding
to ruminants of foodstufs containing animal protein and the
UK’s declaring BSE notifable ( June 1988), Israel banned in
December 1988 the import from the UK of mammalian meat
and bone meal (MMBM) for any use; this ban was extended
in July 1990 to all countries worldwide (8) (Table 1).
Domestic production of MMBM continued until August
1996 when the feeding of all food animals (including poul-
try and fsh) with bovine-derived MBMs was banned by
law and recycling of mammal-origin material discontinued.
From then on, mammal waste has been destroyed by incin-
eration (6,7,11).
Table 1: Special Governmental Decisions on Activities with Respect to BSE Control, 2002-2011
Date of decision Total budget Activities
31.01.2010 for the
years 2010-2011
6.3 million NIS Same as 2007-2009 (below)
10.08.2007 for the
years 2007-2009
7.148 million NIS 2.513 million NIS*: manpower and purchase of materials for BSE detection in cattle over 30 months old
designated for slaughter
2.080 million NIS: specifed risk material collection and incineration (including costs of slaughter and dissection).
0.700 million NIS: maintenance of computerized system and tracing cattle, including equipment.
1.000 million NIS: control and enforcement in order to prevent unsupervised cattle marketing.
19.03.2006 for the
years 2006-2008
8.624 million NIS 2.764 million NIS: purchase of material and equipment for BSE detection in cattle over 30 months old
designated for slaughter
1.115 million NIS: manpower in order to implement the program in the labs, slaughterhouses and provinces.
2.545 million NIS: specifed risk material collection and incineration (including costs of slaughter and
dissection).
1.200 million NIS: maintenance of computerized system and tracing cattle, including equipment.
1.000 million NIS: control and enforcement in order to prevent unsupervised cattle marketing.
13.05.2004 for the
years 2004-2005
10.785 million NIS 1.345 million NIS: manpower in order to implement the program in the labs, slaughterhouses and
provinces.
4.540 million NIS: purchase of material and equipment for BSE detection in cattle over 30 months old
designated for slaughter
3.600 million NIS: specifed risk material collection and incineration (including costs of slaughter and
dissection).
0.700 million NIS: maintenance of computerized system and tracing cattle, including equipment.
0.600 million NIS: control and enforcement in order to prevent unsupervised cattle marketing.
19.12.2002 for the
year 2003
17.6 million NIS 5.800 million NIS: equipment, materials, personnel, and computerized system maintenance in order to
enable BSE tests.
4.000 million NIS (0.560 in reserve): specifed risk material collection and incineration (cattle over 15
months old).
7.200 million NIS: transition of cows’ carcasses from the fresh market to the frozen one (compensation for
price losses).
0.6 million NIS: control and enforcement in order to prevent unsupervised cattle marketing.
16.06.2002 for the
year 2002
19 million NIS 6.9 million NIS: purchase of equipment, materials, and maintenance of computerized system and tracing
cattle, including equipment (also in order to enable BSE tests and manpower).
10.15 million NIS: specifed risk material collection and incineration (including costs of slaughter and
dissection).
1.000 million NIS: control and enforcement in order to prevent unsupervised cattle marketing.
0.950 million NIS for slaughterhouse refrigeration equipment.
* Te rate of 1 NIS has varied from 3.3 to 4.5 / $US
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Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine  Vol. 69 (4)  December 2014 Yakobson, B.A. 174
Passive histopathological surveillance for BSE was intro-
duced in Israel in 1993 (10).
In 2001, the feeding ban, concerning mammal food-ani-
mals, was extended to include MBM produced from poultry
and fsh (6).
BSE was frst diagnosed in Israel in a 10 year old dairy
cow from a kibbutz herd located on the Golan Heights
(8,11). Te cow died on May 20
th
2002. According to the
opinion of the Scientifc Steering Committee (SSC) of the
EU, the plausible source for the BSE case was the impor-
tation of bovine meat and bone meal (MBM) from 1986-
1990 from fve continental European countries, which were
regarded in retrospect to have been “risk countries” during
this period.
In order to apply for recognition for the classifcation
of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) status of
Israel as “Negligible” it was necessary to respond to a ques-
tionnaire of the OIE, the organization of which Israel is
a member. Tis review article documents the activities of
Israel Veterinary Services and Animal Health (IVSAH)
with respect to BSE control presented in the application
made by the State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development Veterinary Services and Animal Health
in September 2012 for recognition of the BSE status in Israel
as “Negligible”.
During the May 2014 at the 82
nd
General Session of
the OIE and according to recommendation of the Scientifc
Committee, the status of ”Negligible risk” regarding BSE
was granted to the State of Israel which was admitted to the
exclusive list of 36 countries with the similar status.
QUESTIOINNAIRE
1. Has meat-and-bone meal, greaves, or feedstufs
containing either, been imported within the past
eight years (2004-2011)? If so, where from and in
what quantities?
Rationale: Knowledge of the origin of meat-and-bone meal,
greaves or feedstufs containing either meat-and-bone meal
or greaves, is necessary to assess the risk of release of BSE
agent. Meat-and-bone meal and greaves originating in coun-
tries of high BSE risk pose a higher release risk than that
from low risk countries. Meat-and-bone meal and greaves
originating in countries of unknown BSE risk pose an un-
known release risk.
Response: Te Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development Veterinary Services and Animal Health pro-
vided a detailed list of imports of Poultry and Fish MBM
from 2004 to 2011. In total 92,300 tons of poultry MBM;
46,000 tons of poultry feathers; 93,900 tons of poultry blood
and 35,200 tons of fsh MBM were imported.
Israel neither imports nor produces any mammalian
meat-and-bone meal, greaves, or feedstuf containing ei-
ther of these products.Te import of MBM of mammalian
origin from the UK and all other countries was prohibited
in 1988 and 1990, respectively. Te import of poultry MBM
(including feather meal) is permitted only from plants au-
thorized by the competent Veterinary Authority of the
country of origin.
In order to legalize the prohibition of the use of MBM,
the appropriate legal framework, the “Animal Diseases
Regulations (Feeding of Animals), 1996” was amended in
2001. Te amendment also included the prohibition on the
use of poultry meals in mammalian rations. Due to this
measure, there has been no use of mammalian MBM and
poultry MBM for ruminant feeding since 1996 and 2001,
respectively.
Imported poultry and fsh MBM are used in the manu-
facture of poultry feed, fsh feed and pet (dog and cat) food.
All animal feeds (imported, produced and traded) in Israel
require an ofcial permit issued by the competent authority.
Each and every consignment of MBM is delivered only to
feed mills, which are under the routine supervision of the
ofcial competent authorities.
Reinforcement of feed regulations and the verifcation
of health certifcates are applied by the IVSAH Import and
Export Division, the Plant Protection Inspection Services,
and by inspectors at the two sea ports of Israel, Ashdod and
Haifa. Tis unit is responsible for border control and for pre-
vention of smuggling of live animals or their products into
Israel.
Each imported consignment of MBM and greaves is
checked at the IVSAH Border Inspection Posts and must
be accompanied by a Health Certifcate signed by the
Competent Veterinary Authority of the country of origin,
assuring that the product has been subjected to the relevant
processing standards, which give enough guarantees as re-
gards to the prevention of BSE (e.g. produced in establish-
ments where only poultry is processed and cross contamina-
tion is completely prevented).
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Pet foods for dogs and cats are imported into Israel.
However, its importation does not pose any risk, since it is
pre-packed, ready for animal consumption and properly la-
belled in the country of origin. Pet Food Health Certifcates
derived from the mentioned regulations (“Animal Diseases
Regulations (Feeding of Animals) 2001” and the BSE Policy
Documents), prevent the endangerment from the BSE agent.
In addition to the above, veterinarians, farmers and others
involved in the animal products industry have been informed
and trained regarding the implementation of the regulations
on the feeding ban, in order to prevent the distribution of the
BSE agent, as part of the awareness program.
2. Have live cattle been imported within the past seven
years (2005-2011)?
Rationale: Te release risks are dependent on country, zone
or compartment of origin and its BSE status, this may re-
sult from the detection of clinical disease, or following active
surveillance, or assessment of geographical BSE risk; feeding
and management of the imported cattle; use to which the
commodity has been put; dairy versus meat breeds, where
there are diferences in exposure and age at slaughter.
Response: Te Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development Veterinary Services and Animal Health pro-
vided a detailed list of imports of cattle into Israel between
2005 to 2011. In total 567,100 live cattle were imported dur-
ing these years. With the exception of Serbia where the BSE
status was still undetermined, all countries from which cattle
had been imported were either “negligible” or “controlled” in
regard to their BSE status. Furthermore, the BSE risk related
to the source of live cattle import is being continuously re-
vised, taking into account the evolution of the epidemiologi-
cal evidence of this disease in the exporting countries.
Imported cattle originating from countries which are
considered “negligible” or “controlled” regarding their BSE
status according to the OIE are placed in quarantine sta-
tions for at least 8-10 days, where they are ear tagged, receive
an Israeli identity document and are vaccinated against foot
and mouth disease. Te data are recorded into an IVSAH
central computerized database. From thereon, all informa-
tion regarding that animal (movements, vaccinations, date of
death/slaughter, BSE testing, etc.) is computerized, recorded
and monitored. All cattle movements in Israel have to be
approved by the Regional Veterinary Ofcer prior to their
movement. As a rule, imported cattle are kept on well-mon-
itored, zero-grazing feedlots, and are sold to be slaughtered
by the farmer without auction or appearing in sale yards.
About 50% of the imported calves are exported to the
Palestinian Authority; some are transferred directly from the
quarantine station for either fattening or immediate slaugh-
ter, others are transferred after fattening in Israel, for slaugh-
ter in the Palestinian Authority.
Only tens to a few hundred head of cattle are imported
for breeding each year, from Australia, which is considered
as “negligible” with regard to its BSE status. Tese are used
solely in mother-calf beef herds on pasture, and not in dairy
herds or feedlots. Imported cattle for breeding are under
close supervision of the Regional Veterinary Ofcers.
3. What products of bovine origin have been imported
within the past seven years (2005-2011)?
Rationale: Te release risks are dependent on the origin of the
cattle products and whether these products contain tissues
known to contain BSE infectivity.
Response: Te Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development Veterinary Services and Animal Health pro-
vided a detailed list of the total amount of meat and ofal
imported into Israel (kg), 2005-2011. During this period
68,668,099 kg of meat was imported and 4,475,906 kg of
ofal.
Te BSE risk related to the import of products of cattle
origin has been continuously revised by the Israel Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development Veterinary Services and
Animal Health in light of the evolution of the epidemiologi-
cal evidence of this disease in the exporting countries.
Table 2: Number of cattle clinically-suspect for BSE, by year
Year Number of clinically suspect cattle
2005 48
2006 33
2007 30
2008 30
2009 24
2010 17
2011 24
Total 206
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4. Te origin of bovine carcasses, by-products and
slaughterhouse waste, the parameters of the
rendering processes and the methods of cattle
feed production. How have bovine carcasses, by-
products and slaughterhouse waste been processed
over the past eight years (2004-2011)?
Rationale: Te overall risk of BSE in the cattle population of
a country is proportional to the level of known or potential
exposure to BSE infectivity and the potential for recycling
and amplifcation of the infectivity through livestock feed-
ing practices.
Response:
1) Almost all fallen stock are incinerated and a few are buried
at IVSAH-approved landflls. Te owner notifes an IVSAH
Veterinary Ofcer according to the “Animal Diseases
Ordinance, 1985”. Te operation of the incineration plant is
under the constant supervision of a full-time IVSAH veteri-
narian present on site, who is responsible for the inspection,
sampling, recording, monitoring and reporting procedures.
Te costs of the collection and the incineration or burial of
fallen stock are fully covered by a state-subsidized insurance
plan.
All fallen stock collected and brought to the incineration
plant aged greater than 24 months are sampled for BSE test-
ing at the Pathology Department in the Kimron Veterinary
Institute (KVI).
2) Due to local market trends and demands, the age at
slaughter of fattened calves is up to 15 months with rare
exceptions. Terefore these calves are not tested for BSE, nor
are their Specifed Risk Material (SRM) removed from the
carcass (unless clinical signs are manifested or the animal is
slaughtered at an older age).
3) Following the only case of BSE in Israel, on May 20
th
2002 (diagnosed in a dairy cow), an administrative directive
referring to cattle above the age of 12 months was issued by
the IVSAH regarding SRM. Te defnition of organs con-
sidered to be SRM in Israel was:
(a) Head as a whole (excluding edible parts like the masseter
muscles and the tongue);
(b) Spinal cord;
(c) Small intestines.
Te directive also included protocols for the disposal of
SRM:
(i) Immediate disposal of SRM during slaughter into spe-
cifc containers;
(ii) Daily transfer of these containers from the slaughter-
house to the incineration plant.
As of January 1
st
2003, the IVSAH, with the cooperation
of the Ministry of Health, raised the age of the relevant cattle
from 12 months to 15 months. A reminder in the form of an
ofcial letter of this directive is sent to the veterinary inspec-
tors in slaughterhouses annually).
4) Documentation describing the rendering process and pa-
rameters used to produce meat-and-bone meal and greaves
was presented.In Israel there is no collection of mamma-
lian waste for further processing nor are there rendering
plants, except for fat (used for biodiesel production), hides
and skins. However, there are fve rendering plants exclu-
sively for the manufacturing of poultry meal, regulated and
inspected by the IVSAH, the Division for the Control of
Animal Products.
Almost all Israeli dairy cows are fed total mixed ration
(TMR) ad libitum Feedlot calves are fed a high concentrate
diet consisting of grains (corn, wheat, barley) and a small
amount of wheat straw or hay.
Te use of mammalian MBM in cattle feed or in mono-
gastric feed is forbidden. Mammalian MBM is not available
in Israel; it is neither produced nor imported. Te feeding
of poultry concentrates to cattle is prohibited, since it may
include poultry-derived MBM. In addition, poultry concen-
trates are not suitable for cattle feeding since it may contain
compounds, such as coccidiostats, some of which are toxic
to cattle.
5. Documentation describing monitoring and
enforcement of the above.
Monitoring and enforcement of processing of bovine car-
casses, by-products and slaughterhouse waste is carried out
by the inspectors of the production site, supervised by the
responsible ofcer in the veterinary headquarters.
6. Te potential for the exposure of cattle to the BSE
agent through consumption of meat-and-bone meal
or greaves of bovine origin
Question: Has meat-and-bone meal or greaves of bovine ori-
gin been fed to cattle within the past eight years (2004-2011).
Rationale: If cattle have not been fed products of bovine
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origin (other than milk or blood) potentially containing
meat-and-bone meal or greaves of bovine origin within the
past eight years, meat-and-bone meal and greaves can be
dismissed as a risk. In the case of countries applying for neg-
ligible risk status, it will be required to demonstrate that the
ruminant feed ban has been efective for at least eight years
following the birth of the youngest case.
Response: MMBM has not been fed since 1996. Tere has
been no use of imported bovine MBM or greaves in the feed-
ing of any animal species, according to the “Animal Diseases
Regulations (Feeding of Animals), 2001.
In Israel there are fve poultry rendering plants and 32
feed mills. Two rendering plants that used to manufacture
mammalian MBM were closed down in 1995 and 1996.
Poultry rendering plants are under comprehensive (visual)
daily inspection by the plants’ inspectors, and twice a week
by a public (regional) veterinarian, who also monitors regu-
lations’ enforcement, including the regulation regarding the
ban on mammalian MBM and greaves. Feed mills also go
through a comprehensive inspection according to a yearly in-
spection plan by the Plant Protection and Inspection Services
(PPIS).
All imported feed ingredients of plant origin require a
primary permit issued and renewed annually by the PPIS,
Feed Division. Each shipment of such imported feedstuf is
examined by inspectors of the PPIS, Quarantine Division,
at the port of entry.
Animal feed that contains ingredients from either terres-
trial or aquatic animals requires a permit from the IVSAH,
Import and Export Division. All import permits are issued
according to the requirements of the BSE Policy Document.
Each consignment of imported animal feed containing
poultry or fsh MBM is regularly checked by the IVSAH
Border Inspection Posts and must be accompanied by a
Health Certifcate signed by the Competent Veterinary
Authority of the country of origin assuring that the product
has been subjected to the processing standards which give
sufcient guarantees with regard to the prevention of BSE.
Te questionnaire required documentation of husbandry
practices (multiple species farms) which could lend them-
selves to cross-contamination of cattle feed with meat-
and-bone meal and greaves destined for other species. Te
response was that Israeli animal husbandry systems are com-
prised of one species per production unit.
Most dairy farms raise their own replacement heifers, and
most cows spend their entire life on the same farm. Cows
that are sold are done so directly between farms managers
without the intervention of dealers. Tere are no cattle auc-
tions in Israel except for some breeding bulls for beef herds.
Ninety nine per cent of breeding on dairy farms is carried
out by artifcial insemination. Te average age of culling is
5 years, and one third of the herd is frst-lactation-heifers.
Some farmers may raise more than one species, but these
are not kept in the same holding pen or barn. Farms are
large and tend to specialize. Tere are no small multi-species
backyard dairy farms. Feed for poultry is not prepared on the
farm but is only bought ready-to-use from feed mills. All
ruminant concentrate feed (containing grains and additives)
is bought from commercial feed mills and is not prepared
on the farm. MBM’s used for the production of feed, such
as poultry and fsh meal, are only used in feed mills (central
production of feed) and not at the farm level. Te complete
production process (storage, mixing and distribution) in all
feed mills is computerised, planned, executed and monitored,
allowing full traceability of ingredients used.
Feedstuf containing poultry, feather, blood and fsh meal
are transported by means of vehicles which do not at the
same time transport feedstufs for ruminants. If the vehicle
is subsequently used for the transport of feedstufs intended
for ruminants, it shall be thoroughly cleaned in accordance
with a procedure approved by the competent authority to
avoid cross-contamination.
Moreover, cross-contamination is not possible in the light
of the absence of mammalian MBM in Israel for more than
15 years.As mentioned in previous answers, there is no use
of mammalians MBM, either locally produced or imported.
7. Te questionnaire required information regarding
an awareness programme
Rationale: An awareness programme is essential to ensure
detection and reporting of BSE, especially in countries of low
prevalence and competing diferential diagnoses.
In light of the BSE situation in Europe, general awareness
and training activities for IVSAH veterinarians and other
personnel, bovine practitioners and farmers have taken place
since 1987, and from 1989, BSE for both pathological and
clinical aspects has been presented in ofcial publications and
on-line gazettes, seminars, courses and conferences. Israeli
cattle breeders are organized in three large cooperatives,
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the Israel Cattle Breeders Association (ICBA), the Israel
Beef Feedlot Association and Israel Beef Herds Association.
Tese organizations have held periodic regional and national
meetings, distributed weekly to bi-monthly farmers’ maga-
zines to members and conducted other continuing educa-
tion activities. Tese tools have been used by the IVSAH
to communicate and spread information regarding BSE. In
addition, a BSE website hosted by the Faculty of Agriculture
of the Hebrew University was established: http://agri3.huji.
ac.il/~yakobson/bseEN/. Later on the website moved to the
ofcial website of the IVSAH: http://www.moag.gov.il/
Vet/noseim/Prevention_animal_diseases_Zoaonotiot/bsp/
default.htm.
Awareness of veterinarians and farmers regarding cattle
presenting neurological clinical manifestations is very high
in Israel, as rabies is endemic and the disease is diagnosed in
cattle several times a year. Each rabies case is reported to all
the veterinarians in Israel and therefore farmers and veteri-
narians report suspicious neurological cases to the Regional
Veterinary Ofcers of the IVSAH. All suspected animals
which test negative for rabies are consequently tested for
BSE.
In Israel 90% of the cattle practitioners are employed
by “Hachaklait”, a cooperative of 50 veterinarians led by a
Chief Veterinarian, supported by an epidemiological unit
and consultants, supplying clinical veterinary services to
ruminant farms throughout Israel. “Hachaklait” carries out
monthly continuing education seminars regarding diferent
subjects, including clinical reviews on cattle diseases and has
a website and an e-mail forum (http://www.hachaklait.org.
il/english.asp).
Since 1989 the CVO of the IVSAH requested the Chief
Veterinarian of the “Hachaklait” to transmit the BSE situa-
tion in the world on an annual basis to its practitioners, and
to emphasize the need for reporting and submission of neu-
rological cases for BSE testing. During continuing education
sessions, veterinarians were requested to emphasize to their
clients (the farmers) the importance of early reporting re-
garding any cattle with neurological clinical signs. Clinicians
visit each dairy farm at least once a week, and beef and feed-
lot herds about once a month, allowing for a close and valid
farmer-veterinarian relationship. “Hachaklait” veterinarians
are motivated to submit samples of sick or dead cattle to
the KVI laboratories free of charge per submission, as the
farmers pay a small all-inclusive Laboratory Insurance an-
nual fee. Te single BSE case in Israel was submitted by a
“Hachaklait” veterinarian subsequent to the appearance of
neurological signs.
Tere is only one school for Veterinary Medicine in Israel,
the Koret School in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and
it holds close working relationships with the IVSAH, the
KVI and the “Hachaklait”. Various aspects of BSE are taught
as part of the curriculum of the pathology and epidemiology
regulatory medicine courses.
Articles on BSE were published in the local journals of
the dairy cattle and beef cattle associations in Hebrew. Cattle
practitioners as well as all slaughterhouse veterinarians have
participated in BSE diagnostic workshops and are aware of
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, their epidemiol-
ogy and symptomatology.
State and slaughterhouse veterinarians, cattle practitio-
ners and members of cattle breeders associations were noti-
fed and updated by means of:
1) Articles and updates in the monthly Veterinary
Bulletins (more than 400 items since December 1987);
2) Workshops and lectures, some of them with the partic-
ipation of UK experts. In addition to these training sessions,
several British video-taped clinical BSE cases were shown;
3) Circulars were distributed to the farmers through the
cattle associations containing detailed descriptions of the
epidemiology and signs of BSE. Te circulars were published
on the association websites to ensure that clinical cases could
be recognized and reported;
4) During the reporting period (2004 – 2011), several
articles on the BSE epidemiological situation in the world
were published in the professional and farming press.
In addition to the above, in order to increase profession-
al capability, two veterinary pathologists of the KVI were
trained in diagnostic methods (histopathology and immu-
nohistochemistry) for BSE in the early 1990’s in the Central
Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), Weybridge, UK .Technician
in charge of the immunological laboratory for the examina-
tion of BSE attended a training course on ‘Western blot-
ting’ in Switzerland. In 2011 an IVSAH veterinarian at-
tended a BSE training course in the framework of European
Commission“Better Training for Safer Food”.
As a consequence of these activities, there is a widespread
knowledge on BSE recognition, prophylaxis and monitoring
in the veterinary and farming communities although the dis-
ease has been absent in Israel for the last 10 years.
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Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine  Vol. 69 (4)  December 2014 179 Recognition of Israel’s BSE Status
Te following persons have received training on a regular
basis in the framework of the awareness programme through
workshops, seminars and materials distributed.
– 1,000 managers of dairy farms
– 80 beef cattle farmers
– 200 feedlot farmers
– 65 cattle veterinary practitioners
– 70 governmental veterinarians and stock inspectors
– 18 veterinary inspectors at slaughterhouses
8. Te questionnaire required information regarding a
contingency plan.
Response: In 2001, the Contingency Plan was prepared by the
Chief Veterinary Ofcer (CVO) of the IVSAH for operation
in case of BSE detection and was successfully implemented
in May 2002 when the frst and only case was confrmed.
Operation of the contingency plan is described below (see
Section 10, BSE History of the Country).
9. Examination in an approved laboratory of brain or
other tissues collected within the framework of the
aforementioned surveillance system
Rationale: Te OIE only recognizes for the purpose of this
submission samples that have been tested in accordance with
the Terrestrial Manual.
Response: Samples of cattle tissues from slaughterhouses all
over the country have been examined for BSE by the ap-
proved laboratory in the KVI, the National Laboratory for
BSE. Te confrmatory methods used in the KVI are the
histopathological, immunohistochemical and Western blot
methods which are annually monitored by quality assess-
ment laboratory inspections. In instances where inconclusive
results are obtained in the rapid test, the brain sample is
examined by the previously described confrmatory methods.
Te diagnostic procedures and methods that have been
used in previous years as follows:
1991-1996: Obex samples were examined for BSE
histologically.
1997-2001: Obex samples were examined for BSE his-
tologically and by immunohistochemistry.
2001-2003: Obex samples were examined for BSE using
the Prionics Immunoblot.
2004-2006: Obex samples were examined for BSE using
the Bio Rad rapid ELISA test.
2007-2012: Obex samples were examined for BSE by
the rapid Prionics-Check PrioSTRIP test. Te confrmatory
method used is the Immuno-Blot Method (IBM).
From May 1
st
2006 the Pathology and the BSE unit of
the Virology Laboratory in the KVI work according to ISO/
IEC 17025:2005 and according to SOPs accredited by an in-
dependent external body, the Israel Laboratory Accreditation
Authority (ISRAC), which carries out audits annually.
10. Does the BSE surveillance program comply with
the guidelines in Articles 11.5.20 to 11.5.22. of
the Terrestrial Code? What were the results of the
investigations?
Rationale: Point 4 of Article 11.5.2. and Articles 11.5.20. to
11.5.22. prescribes the number of cattle, by subpopulation,
that need to be tested in order to ensure the detection of BSE
at or above a minimal threshold prevalence.
Response: BSE surveillance in Israel involved all cattle over
predefned age limits and not only subsets of the popula-
tion. Since 1992 all clinical suspected cattle have been tested
histologically, and from 1997 were confrmed by immuno-
histochemistry. Using this surveillance system, the sole case
of BSE was diagnosed in May 2002. Since May 2002, fallen
stock and cattle displaying behavioral or clinical neurologi-
cal signs consistent with BSE (clinically suspect), and aged
more than 24 months, have been tested for BSE using rapid
tests, and if inconclusive, were subjected to additional testing
by histology, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
According to the IVSAH CVO directive, since July 1
st
,
2002 and until March 2010, all cattle slaughtered above the
age of 30 months were tested for BSE before being released
for human consumption. From March 1
st
2010, and in the
light of scientifc opinion and the European Commission
Directives, all cattle slaughtered above the age of 48 months
are tested for BSE.
Te National Cattle Registration Database allows trace-
ability of all cattle from date of birth, through the registra-
tion of any movement, slaughter or death. Te age of each
animal sampled is assessed by individual identifcation, as
registered in the National Database, with a unique number,
which is depicted on the metal ear tag and on an identif-
cation document for each head of cattle. All cattle sent to
the slaughterhouse, categorized by age to be sampled, must
have a permit to be transported to the slaughterhouse, issued,
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Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine  Vol. 69 (4)  December 2014 Yakobson, B.A. 180
before any movement, by the Regional Veterinary Ofcer.
Tis permit indicates the need for BSE testing, so that the
veterinary inspector at the slaughterhouse is informed about
the mandatory sampling needed, before arrival of the ani-
mal. Tese permits are sent to the slaughterhouse through a
shared computer network and software and are supported by
a hard-copy permit. All cattle arriving at the slaughterhouse
must be accompanied with their individual identifcation
document, indicating their demographic data. In addition, at
slaughterhouses a routine random check of dentition is per-
formed by the veterinary inspector, and brains are sampled
if needed.
In the event of suspect clinical cases, the farmer and the
veterinarian are obliged to notify the Regional Veterinary
Ofcer. After euthanasia or natural death, the head or the
brainstem (obex) is sent to the KVI for examination. All
animals are tested for rabies and those that are negative and
older than 24 months are tested for BSE. All dead cattle
(from day old to mature cows) are collected free of charge
from the farm to a single incineration plant within 24 hours.
In the early years farmers were motivated to send dead cattle
to the incineration plant with compensation. Today they are
still not charged for the incineration but are scrutinized and
penalized if animals are buried on farm.
11. BSE History of the Country, Zone or Compartment
Rationale:Te categorization of a country, zone or compart-
ment in either “negligible” or “controlled” risk is dependent
upon, the outcome of a risk assessment, compliance with
the provisions described, the results of surveillance, and the
history of BSE in the country, zone or compartment. Tis
section provides the opportunity to describe the BSE history
in the country, zone or compartment.
One case of BSE has been diagnosed in Israel. A 10 year
old dairy cow (Delhi) from a kibbutz herd located on the
Golan Heights, died on May 20
th
2002 following a 2 day
illness. Te case report was published in the Israel Journal of
Veterinary Medicine (11).
A 10 year old dairy cow from a kibbutz herd located on
the Golan Heights, died on May 20
th
2002. Te cow had
calved twins on May 15
th
2002 that were subsequently eu-
thanized. Te cow, born on September 19
th
1992, belonged
to a dairy herd of 1,300 heifers and cows. Te cow had
been bought at the age of two years from another kibbutz
in the Jordan Valley (11). According to the opinion of the
Scientifc Steering Committee (SSC) of the EU, the plau-
sible source for the BSE case was the importation of bovine
MBM from 1986-1990, from fve continental European
countries, which are regarded in retrospect to have been
“risk countries” during this period.Tis is the only case of
BSE diagnosed in Israel.
An emergency report was sent to the Director General
of the OIE on June 6
th
2002, describing details of the case,
and the measures taken to deal with it:
As a result the following steps were taken:
y An immediate ban was placed on both herds related to
the afected cow (the original herd in a kibbutz in the
Jordan Valley from which the cow was bought and the
destination herd in a kibbutz in the Golan Heights).
y Te cow had three living cohort mates (born within
twelve months of the afected cow) in the herd of ori-
gin. Tey were euthanized and incinerated in 2002.
y Te afected cow calved 8 times. All of her ofspring
either died or were euthanized:
(1) Male calf – born on September 7
th
, 1994 – died;
(2) Female calf – born on September 7th, 1995 –
slaughtered before reproductive age;
(3) Female calf – born on December 26
th
, 1996, died
on July 12
th
, 1997. the cow calved two male calves
(on December 26
th
1998 and on February 2
nd
2000
respectively), and one female calf (born on March
10
th
2001) – all died or were euthanized before re-
productive age;
(4) Male calf – born on December 24
th
, 1997 – died ;
(5) Female calf – born on March 9
th
, 1999 – died before
reproductive age;
(6) Female calf – born on April 28
th
, 2000 – eutha-
nized after calving a stillborn male calf on April
16
th
, 2002;
(7) Female calf – born on May 30
th
, 2001 – died before
reproductive age;
(8) Male and female twin calves – born on May 15
th
,
2002 – euthanized in 2002.
CONCLUSIONS AND FOLLOWUP
During the May 2014 at the 82
nd
General Session of the
OIE and according to recommendation of the Scientifc
Committee, the status of “Negligible risk” was granted to
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Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine  Vol. 69 (4)  December 2014 181 Recognition of Israel’s BSE Status
the State of Israel (Resolution No. 18). Te list of 36 coun-
tries with the status of “reliable risk” also includes: Argentina,
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile,
Columbia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland,
India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Luxembourg,
Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Swede and the
United States of America.
Seventeen countries have been recognized as having a
“controlled BSE risk”: Canada, Chinese Taipei, Costa Rica,
Cyprus, Czech Republic France, Germany, Greece, Ireland,
Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Mexico, Nicaragua, Poland, Spain,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Te “Negligible” status released Israel from export con-
straints applied to countries with a higher risk level. Te
importance of recognition of the BSE status in Israel as
“Negligible” allowed release of control measures regarding
testing healthy slaughtered animals, SRM removal, collect-
ing and destruction as introduced in 2002. Tis lowered
the annual direct spending of the IVSAH for BSE control
by about two million USD, minimized operation cost of
slaughter houses and losses to farmers associated with SRM
destruction.
In retrospect, and in view of the increased BSE contami-
nation of MMBM recorded in Europe during the 90’s, the
early discontinued imports of this commodity and of do-
mestic recycling appear to have been crucial in protecting
Israel’s national cattle herd and minimizing BSE infection
to a single elderly cow.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Drs. Alan Shlosberg, Nick Taylor and Trevor Waner for helping
edit the article.
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