Mad Cow Disease (Noun)
Meaning
A fatal disease of cattle that affects the central nervous system; causes staggering and agitation.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The outbreak of mad cow disease in the UK in the 1990s led to a massive cull of cattle and significant changes in livestock farming practices.
- Scientists believe that mad cow disease is caused by a misfolded protein called a prion that is transmitted through infected animal products.
- The symptoms of mad cow disease can take years to appear, but once they do, the disease is always fatal and there is no known cure.
- The worldwide incidence of mad cow disease has decreased significantly since its peak in the 1990s, thanks to stricter controls on animal feed and slaughter practices.
- Researchers are still working to understand the exact mechanisms by which mad cow disease is transmitted, but it is clear that infected animal products pose a major risk to human health.