There may be a second case of mad cow disease in the U.S., but the
Agriculture Department says it will be four to seven days
before the possible case can be verified.

Mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, attacks an
animal's nervous system.

People who eat contaminated food can contract a rare disease that's nearly always fatal.

USDA Deputy Administrator Andrea Morgan said the inconclusive test result does not necessarily mean there is a second case of the disease.

“Inconclusive results are a normal component of screening tests, which are designed to be extremely sensitive so they will detect any sample that could possibly be positive,” she said.

"Tissue samples are now being sent to USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories-the national BSE reference lab-which will run confirmatory testing,” she said.

“However, it is important to note, that this animal did not enter the food or feed chain,” Morgan said.

The possible case comes eleven months after the U.S. had its
first confirmed case of mad cow.

Japan and other countries still have bans on U.S. beef in place because of the first case.

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