The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirms mad cow disease has been found in Alberta province.

It is Canada's eighth case of mad cow disease since 2003, and the fifth case this year

Portugal's Azores islands confirmed its new case of mad cow disease. It is the country's sixth instance of the affliction since November 2000.

Scientifically known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease, it was found in screening tests and verified by the national veterinary laboratory

Japan has reopened its food markets to American beef, despite fears of importing animals with mad cow disease.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced, "I am pleased that Japan announced today it would resume imports of U.S. beef from cattle 20 months of age and younger. This has been a long process as we've confirmed that our system is in full compliance with Japan's import requirements and provided Japan with clear, scientific data confirming that American beef is extremely safe. It is gratifying to know that these efforts paid off, as did the patience demonstrated by Congress

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has hosted a meeting to review the Harvard Risk Assessment of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), also known as "mad cow disease," in the United States on July 25.

The FSIS, a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), took a look at new data, and says the risk of a human contracting BSE has fallen

Canadian authorities confirmed on Thursday a seventh case of the dreaded mad cow disease after conducting a test on a cow.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the entire carcass of the 50-month old dairy cow has been incinerated. However the age of the cow means it contracted the disease, also known as bovine spongiform ecephalopathy, after the 1997 ban on certain feeds suspected to be the cause of the disease