BSE in the United Kingdom. Sense-making in disaster management (eBook)

Case Study in the subject Biology - Genetics / Gene Technology, grade: 100, University of Queensland (University of Queensland), course: disaster management, language: English, abstract: The argument of this case study is to re-echo the importance of sense-making, communication and resilience to disaster risk management. It is a critical analysis of sense-making of the BSE in the United Kingdom.

The words ‘mad cow disease’ was first made by David Brown of Daily Telegraph in 2008. The mad cow disease was first documented in Southeast England in 1985 when a farm in the region was afflicted by the disease which led to the loss of Sheep on the farm. In 1987 the disease was said to have spread to cattle. The disease was documented initially as bovine spongiform encephalopathy BSE. The disease affects the central nervous system of an adult cow; also known as ‘bovine spongiform results into cows' aggression and lack of coordination due to the influence of the disease in the brain of the cow. The description of the disease has a sponge-like appearance when examined in the brain of the cow. If and when consumed by humans, it can cause ‘variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease’.

The function of resilience in disaster risk management cannot is necessary due to the extended memory that disaster leaves in the minds of the victims. Resilience played a vital role in the case of the farmers and global community that witnessed the outbreak of the BSE. The desire to increase agricultural production led to the innovation of using several unwholesome technics. This development, however, did not slow down the resilience of the people of the UK. The government adopted policies that could tackle agricultural diseases such as the BSE.