Final answer:
Identification of BSE in cows, known as mad cow disease, was recognized before the diagnosis of vCJD in humans, which can be contracted from eating infected beef. BSE-infected cattle develop sponge-like brain tissue, and there are significant economic impacts due to beef import bans. vCJD is difficult to treat, and there is no cure for prion diseases like BSE and vCJD.
Step-by-step explanation:
The identification of BSE, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, in cows precedes the diagnosis of vCJD, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, in humans. Cattle with BSE exhibit lesions or "holes" in the brain, giving it a sponge-like appearance. This condition was at first believed to only affect cattle, but it was later discovered that humans could develop vCJD from consuming beef from BSE-infected animals, leading to widespread concern and importation bans on British beef, consequently causing significant economic impact to the beef industry.
The human counterpart to BSE, vCJD, is a rare but difficult-to-treat disease that can be transmitted through consumption of infected meat or, potentially, through human blood transfusions. This has led many countries to restrict blood donations from individuals in regions associated with BSE. The gold standard for diagnosing prion diseases like BSE and vCJD is a histological examination of brain biopsies.
Fatal neurodegenerative diseases such as BSE and vCJD are transmitted by prions and share similar symptoms, including loss of motor control and behavioral changes. BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease, is seen in cattle and can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of infected nerve tissues, while vCJD is a prion disease in humans. There is currently no cure for TSEs like BSE and vCJD, and medical support focuses on comfort and pain management.