4/5     We know where the Spanish Flu (Spain) and SARS (China) originate from.
        What about Mad Cow Disease, where did it spread from?
        \_ England.
           \_ Did it originate from scrapie in sheep?
              \_ Yep. MCD was caused by feeding scarpie-infected sheep to
                 cows for protein. Oddly enough, cows with MCD can be fed to
                 other animals, but not humans. Circle of Life...
                 \_ Is this still true?  Are otherwise herbivorous animals
                    that are intended for human consumption, still being fed
                    other animals?  In the states?  UrlP?
                                                    \_ #t
                    \_ look for news archives following the discovery of BSE
                       in Washington (December?  January?).  There were quite
                       a few articles about the continuing practice in the US
                       of feeding cows to cows.  Or feeding cow blood to
                       calves instead of milk, which is also standard practice.
        \_ SARS, and something like 60-70% of new strain of common cold virus
           for some reason coming from Southern China.  We have no idea why,
           but medical community seems to accept it as a fact.  Many people
           also think that Spanish Flu also originate from China as well.
           \_ According to my virology classes, the Spanish flu probably
              originated in the US.  It crossed the Atlantic with US troops
              coming out of the midwest (Kansas or Iowa or somewhere, I can't
              remember), probably recombining with another strain either in
              transit or upon reaching shore, and became even more virulent
              than it was before.  It then migrated back to the US with
              returning troops.  This according to Prof. Volkman
           \_ Don't forget the Black Death. -- ilyas
              \_ I am not aware of the fact that Black Death, which is
                 is a completely different kind of disease, is originated from
                 China.
                 Remember, at the time, China is a lot more populous than
                 Europe.  While Chinese medicine at the time was more advanced,
                 I don't think they are advanced enough to contain plague such
                 as Black Death. You would imagine that Black Death would of
                 caused a lot more devastation in China than Europe.
                 \_ China lost 35 million people during the 14th century.
                    Europe lost 25 million.  I believe the first outbreak of
                    the bubonic plague occured in China around 1300s sometime.
                      -- ilyas
                    \_ Though somewhat morbid, I find this somewhat
                       interesting.  Could you post a link so I can read into
                       this on my own time?  Thanks!    -mice
                       \_ I don't think I can do better than google and a trip
                          to the library.  Incidentally, there does seem to be
                          some disagreement over the origins of the plague.
                          Many ancient outbreaks (we are talking BC) had
                          symptoms and death rates similar to what would be
                          expected of a plague outbreak.  The plague may not
                          have come from China after all, however the outbreak
                          responsible for the devastation in the 14th century
                          is thought to have come from China originally.
                            -- ilyas
        \_ Actually, many think the Spanish Flu originated in the US
           and the Black Plague (the big bubonic plague outbreak that
           terrorized Europe in the 1300s) originated in Africa as
           opposed to China.
           \_ No this must be a chicom troll.  Every disease must have
              originated in China.
           and the big bubonic plague outbreak that terrorized
           Europe in the 1300s originated from Africa as opposed to China.