Saudi doctors have just confirmed that a person in Saudi Arabia has vCJD (the human form of BSE or mad cow disease).

They also suggested that this person got the disease in the UK (when he was in the UK on a visit).

Saudis stressed that no cattle has ever tested positive for mad cow disease. They said their cattle are subject to specialist testing.

A Saudi newspaper said this man went to the UK, but avoided meat. However, they suggest he was tricked into eating beef rather than lamb.

About three months ago the man began to notice he was feeling weak. He then started to lose his memory and later could not talk properly.

Mad cow disease (spongiform encephalopathy) can be spread through the consumption of contaminated meat.