Res. No. 1693-A Title Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the New York City Council to conduct an oversight hearing on the City's response to the recent spread of Mad Cow Disease and to review the Department of Health's efforts to monitor and control the disease and ensure hospital compliance with City health laws and regulations relating thereto. Body By Council Member Fiala, Clarke, Lopez, Michels, Reed, Abel, Golden, Oddo, and Stabile; also Council Members Foster, Koslowitz, O'Donovan, Robinson, Wooten, Ognibene, and Provenzano. Whereas, The New York City Department of Health (DOH) is charged with promoting and protecting the health and quality of life of New York City residents by enforcing compliance with the City health laws and regulations and operating a broad range of public health services; and Whereas, These services include disease monitoring, control and prevention, as well as health education, public outreach, counseling and testing; and Whereas, Mad Cow Disease, formally known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopaty, is a brain-wasting disease which usually results in death; and Whereas, Scientists believe Mad Cow Disease originated in Great Britain, where cattle were given feed containing the grounded remains of sheep infected with a brain ailment - a practice now banned throughout the European Union (the "EU"); and Whereas, The agriculture ministers from the 15 nation EU agreed in principle to a massive upgrading in testing for the disease; and Whereas, The disease has been confirmed in several nations, including Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain and Portugal; and Whereas, Scientists believe that humans who eat infected meat could contract the human variant of Mad Cow Disease, which is known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease; and Whereas, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is usually fatal in humans; and Whereas, Medical professionals have collected anecdotal evidence which supports the belief that Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is present in New York City; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the appropriate committee of the New York City Council conduct an oversight hearing on the City's response to the recent spread of Mad Cow Disease and review the Department of Health's efforts to monitor and control the disease and ensure hospital compliance with City health laws and regulations relating thereto.