All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger.

Brother, thanks for your question and your care about the well-being of your fellow Muslims.

Regarding your question, Muslims who live in countries that are affected by mad cow disease should not make the sacrifice there. They can either give the money, which should be equal to the value of the animal to be sacrificed, in charity to the poor and needy, or they can delegate the sacrifice to someone else who can perform the sacrifice on their behalf in another country.

In his response to the question you raised, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of the Islamic Society of North America, states:

Due to mad cow disease, Muslims can either give the money, which should be equal to the value of the animal to be sacrificed, in charity to the poor and needy, or they can delegate the sacrifice to someone else who can perform the sacrifice on their behalf in another country.

Due to this disease several scholars inFrance, and in several other countries where Muslims live, have issued a fatwa stating that Muslims living in those areas, and are effected by this disease, should not make the sacrifice there. They can either give the money, which should be equal to the value of the animal to be sacrificed, in charity to the poor and needy, or they can delegate the sacrifice to someone else who can perform the sacrifice on their behalf in another country.

For this there are a number of organizations that can take the money and perform the sacrifice in areas where the Muslims are in economic hardship due to wars, sanctions or famine. The person who wants to make a sacrifice can send the money to them and they can perform the sacrifice on their behalf. I personally prefer the second option because in this case, one will not neglect the Sunnah, but if it is difficult in some areas then one can follow the first option.