Panamanian officials announces they have banned the importation of U.S. beef following the discovery of the second case of mad cow disease.

The Agriculture Ministry says it notified U.S. officials of the ban, which was effective immediately. Panama banned U.S. beef after the first mad cow case was reported, and subsequently lifted it in October; only allowing the importation of products originating from animals no more than 30 months old.

Late last month, U.S officials announced the nation's first homegrown case of mad cow disease, tracing to a Texas-born cow.