What is Scrapie?
Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.
The presence of classical scrapie in the U.S. sheep and goat population affects the industry economically through production losses, lost exports, and increased production and disposal costs. Public health concerns related to the transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to humans have resulted in efforts to eradicate all TSEs in food-producing animals.
Surveillance is conducted through the National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP), a cooperative State-Federal-industry program, working to eradicate classical scrapie from the U.S and meet World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) criteria for disease freedom.
Playlist
8:40
6:41
What is scrapie?
Scrapie is a degenerative and eventually fatal disease affecting the central nervous systems of sheep and goats. It was first described in sheep almost 300 years ago in Europe. Animals may appear incoordinated and weak, become thin, be highly sensitive to noise and sudden movements, have tremors, press their heads against solid objects, star-gaze and repeatedly rub, leading to bare spots – therefore the disease commonly became known as “scrapie.”
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
The high cost of scrapie.
Significant economic losses from scrapie include sick animals, trade restrictions, carcass disposal issues, and related problems, totaling millions of dollars annually. Eradicating scrapie is crucial for improving the overall health of the national sheep flock and reducing scrapie-related economic losses.
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
Why hasn’t scrapie been eradicated from the United States?
When scrapie entered the U.S. in 1947, a poor understanding of the disease hindered eradication efforts for decades. We’ve since learned that scrapie has a 2- to 5-year incubation period. Infected ewes can appear normal but still spread the disease, primarily through exposure of lambs to their placenta and birth fluids.
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
In addition, the ability to diagnose the disease was limited by the lack of robust tests. We now have better tests for scrapie including a live animal test.
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
Also, certain genotypes have been identified that are resistant to scrapie and commercial tests are now available.
These tools have assisted the sheep and goat industries and state and federal governments to substantially reduce scrapie prevalence making eradication of the disease from the United States this decade possible, if we remain vigilant.
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
How can the US be declared scrapie-free?
The US flock is within reach of scrapie-free status and reducing burdens of international trade restrictions, consumer perceptions and other issues. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) establishes guidelines for declaring scrapie-freedom. No scrapie cases can be found in sheep or goats for seven years, and an ongoing surveillance and control program must be in place.
The last case of scrapie in the US was found in January 2021, which means that if we don’t have another case by 2028, the US can declare freedom from scrapie. It’s time to Finish the Fight!
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
What is the US doing to be scrapie-free?
Programs to control scrapie have been in place since 1952. The National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP) was modernized in 2001. It is a cooperative program between the federal government, state governments and industry groups. NSEP conducts surveillance for scrapie in the US intending to rid the US of scrapie and achieve scrapie-free status as defined by WOAH (World Organization for Animal Health). The modernization of the NSEP incorporated scientific advancements into the program to make it more effective.
Since 2002, the prevalence of scrapie in the US has decreased significantly, largely due to effective testing and traceback, including the Regulatory Scrapie Slaughter Surveillance Program (RSSS).
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
How can I protect my flock from scrapie?
Keys to protecting your flock include maintaining a closed flock, introducing only genetically resistant animals, or introducing animals from a flock certified in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP).
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
|
How can I protect my flock from scrapie?
Keys to protecting your flock include maintaining a closed flock, introducing only genetically resistant animals, or introducing animals from a flock certified in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP).
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
|
How can I protect my flock from scrapie?
Keys to protecting your flock include maintaining a closed flock, introducing only genetically resistant animals, or introducing animals from a flock certified in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP).
Learn more about scrapie eradication efforts at: https://www.sheepusa.org/researcheducation-scrapie
|
What should I do if a sheep dies on my property?
Test all mature sheep for scrapie, even if they don’t have any symptoms. Accredited veterinarians or regulatory personnel can collect samples for on-farm surveillance, aiding in achieving scrapie-free status.
If a sheep shows signs of scrapie it is important to report this to your private veterinarian or a state or federal veterinarian.
For more information on how to report a diseased animal, visit:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/sheep-goat/scrapie