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Mad cow disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects cattle. It is caused by a prion, an abnormal protein that causes progressive neurological deterioration and death. Mad cow disease first emerged in the UK in 1986 and spread to other countries, resulting in the deaths of over 200 people. The UK government introduced measures to prevent the spread of the disease, including banning the use of certain feed ingredients and slaughtering infected animals. However, mad cow disease continues to be a problem in some parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia. There is no cure for mad cow disease and it is always fatal.