Sadly, the one case found in Alberta WAS an isolated case and even after much testing for months afterwards, not one other case was ever detected or discovered. Still, the amount of damage it caused in the industry (I should say, INDUSTRIES), was devastating. Farming, meat processing, restaurants, export, the list goes on and on. People are just (justifiably) scared when it comes to anything that is so potentially a danger to their immediate health. Case in point, the tainted water tragedy here in Ontario of a few years ago, when 7 people died in one town due to e-coli in the water. Hundreds of others became ill and to this day, have lingering related health problems. It caused a HUGE scandal and overhaul of the way water filtration systems are inspected etc. Anything like this, and the mad cow scare, has such a ripple effect in so many directions. It's like that proverbial picture of the domino tiles, all leaning against one another and it takes just one little tap to set the entire chain toppling...
That said, and although this is not a pleasant thing happening in the States right now, I am glad that they are on it right away, and not trying to be secretive about it. Better to be proactive, safe than sorry....If it amounts to nothing, all the better...
