Finland suspects first mad cow case

Finland is considered one of the three BSE free countries in Europe

HELSINKI, Finland -- A farm in northeastern Finland was quarantined after a cow was killed, showing signs of a central nervous system disorder suspected of being mad cow disease.

Matti Aho, deputy director-general at the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday: "The assumption at this stage is that this is a false alarm."

But Aho also said that the BSE-like symptoms should not be ruled out, emphasising the need for all precautions including the farm's quarantine move on Friday.

Test results from the animal at the farm in Suomussalmi, around 550 km (330 miles) north of Helsinki, will be ready on Wednesday.

The agriculture ministry said in a statement that the cow, killed on Friday, had been more than three years old.

Aho said because of its age, there was a theoretical possibility that the animal could have had the disease.

Agriculture Minister Kalevi Hemila said: "There are numerous cases like this each year because 20,000 animals a year are tested for BSE in Finland.

"This is a normal disease case that is showing symptoms, and about 100 similar check-up tests are made each year."

He added that the unusual thing about the case in Suomussalmi was that the farm was put under quarantine immediately after the animal was slaughtered for testing.

Finland, Sweden and Austria are considered European Union countries at low risk of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Finland has officially remained BSE-free since the disease first came to light in 1986.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Suspected BSE case scrapped
February 26, 2001
Farmers block streets to press for BSE aid
February 26, 2001
Jospin pledges BSE compensation
February 22, 2001
German cattle may be sent to Korea
February 20, 2001

Parliament of Finland
Finland's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.