Mad cow disease no longer a priority. The BSE unit which was created in 2001 to deal exclusively with mad cow disease in Switzerland, will in future, concentrate on animal health and protection, humane production, food safety and hygiene. [News Source]

vCJD alert system shake-up plan (BBC News) The way people are warned they might be infected with the human form of mad cow disease is under review, the government says. [News Source]

Would-be blood donor out of luck (The Longview News-Journal) QUESTION: I would love to donate blood, but last time I offered, Red Cross turned me down because I was in the Air Force and stationed in the United Kingdom from 1987 until 1991 during their "mad cow" scare. Can you please find out how long the Red Cross will ban me from donating blood? [News Source]