OTTAWA: The Canadian government confirmed on Monday the country's 15th case of mad cow disease in an animal from British Columbia.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said no part of the seven-year-old dairy cow's carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems.

The agency has launched an investigation at the animal's birth farm to identify other herd mates at the time of the cow's birth and to examine potential sources of infection, it added in a press release.

This case marks the 15th incident of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada since 2003 and is the fourth this year.

CFIA maintained on Monday that Canada's beef supply remains safe.

"Canada remains a controlled risk country for BSE, as recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)," said the CFIA. "Accordingly, this case should not affect exports of Canadian cattle or beef."

The BSE-infected animal's age and location are consistent with previous cases identified through a national surveillance program, according to the agency. - AFP/de