BSE is primarily transmitted to cattle through the consumption of feed contaminated with the remains of infected animals. This practice, where animal by-products are included in cattle feed, was common before the disease was understood. The prion responsible for BSE is remarkably resistant to standard decontamination methods, making it a concern for food safety and animal health. Regulatory measures, such as banning the use of ruminant protein in cattle feed, aim to prevent these transmission pathways.
