What is madcow disease?

Mad cow disease, scientifically known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects cattle. It is caused by misfolded proteins called prions, which lead to brain damage, resulting in symptoms like changes in behavior, coordination issues, and eventually death. BSE is significant not only for livestock but also for human health, as consumption of infected beef can lead to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans. The disease prompted widespread agricultural and health regulations to prevent its spread.