It may not be as simple as increased detection rates - there really might be more vectors for transferring CJD and it's variations to humans than first thought. (CJD is the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE)
Feeding cows to cows was obviously a stupid idea - that one hopes any reasonable person would concede. It is, however an entirely logical (market driven) extension to today's factory farming model. Recycling waste into animal machine 'crops' rather than respecting the individuals involved by allowing normal behaviours and diet, is simply application of the free market ideology. Without information and understanding (The CCT cameras being installed in French slaughterhouses may help perhaps if taken up globally) - consumers will drive prices lower and lower - along with food quality. This is exaggerated by the widening poverty gap (Oxfam report) when profits are 'asset stripped' by the CEO elites. (OK - that's a obtuse description for the standard kleptocratic practice of skimming the bulk of the money and giving it to those at the top. Anyone still waiting for that trickle down effect to begin.. my only warning is not to drink too deeply from the streams of gold appearing from above.. I digress). Lower prices means cut corners - and every being involved suffers.
But prion disease isn't the sole preserve of mad cows - it's been present in sheep for many centuries (Scrapie) - and a good number of other species to boot. 'Natural' almost - which underlines that simply by being natural doesn't mean it's good - one has to learn and use ones faculties in a discriminatory manner. Natural generally means good (cf over-processed of course) - whole and raw are also good pointers, but eating natural whole raw kidney beans will still always give you stomach pain. Trusting experts (esp in white lab jackets on TV/YouTube) is NOT the same as finding out yourself - and trusting your gut/heart/intellect. If your grandparents didn't eat it (in the same form, from the same production system) - then go that extra mile and find out all about it. Personally I avoid supermarkets - any system weighted towards mass produced and over-processed commodities is worrisome - but I'm lucky to have that choice available. Get to know local providers - independent sellers with passion. Choose organic where possible - the less pesticides in your system, the more likely you will enjoy a long life in good health. Plant-based is amazing. I digress again.
The fact is - they say there is a 10 year incubation period ( others suggest up to 60). After which your brain starts melting and you lose all those critical abilities you need to avoid harm / be alive. Not a good look. So - here's hoping that the impact of these latest findings won't have widespread ramifications - but like most things in life - keep your eyes and ears open, keep your brain in the 'on' position and think before you act. 'Being in the now' is laudable enough - but perhaps an important precursor is 'you are what you eat'.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3122-bse-may-cause-more-cjd-cases-than-thought/