Today's Vidyya^sm could be subtitled "Beware The Cow." Researchers are just starting to understand bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The fatal brain disorders may be tranmitted from animals to humans through the ingestion of infected meat. When the disorder was traced to infectious agents in the beef supply of Great Britain, the US banned all importation of meat from that country as early as 1989. Other countries followed suit in the mid 90s when "Mad Cow Disease" led to 25 deaths. Today's Vidyya contains information for traveler's, patients and the generally curious about BSE and CJD.

As if contaminated meat were not reason enough for some to fear the cow, a physicians' group has filed a second complaint against the dairy industry, complaining that the "Got Milk" ads are misleading and make false health claims.

We round out the issue with a clinical guideline on screening for postmenopausal osteoporosis--a serious health problem.

Today's Articles:

• Should We Fear The Cow? Bovine Spnogiform Encephalopathy (BSE) And Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)

• Fact Sheet: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

• Health Information for International Travel, 1999–2000 - BSE & CJD

• Crying Over Spilled Milk - Physicians' Group Complains About "Got Milk?" Ads

• Screening for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis - Information For Clinicians

As always, we hope you will enjoy today's Vidyya and that you will find the articles useful to your health-based practice.