Scrapie

• Signs of central nervous system problems, most commonly incoordination or poor muscle control (ataxia)
• Weakness of any kind, including stumbling, falling down, or having difficulty rising (not including animals with visible traumatic injuries and no other signs of scrapie)
• Behavioral abnormalities
• Significant weight loss with no decrease in appetite or in an animal with adequate teeth
• Increased sensitivity to noise and sudden movement
• Tremors
• Star gazing
• Head pressing
• Abnormal gait that involves both the forelimbs or rear legs such high stepping with forelimbs, bunny-hop movement with rear legs, or swaying of back end. This does not include gait abnormalities involving only one leg or one front and one back leg.
• Repeated intense rubbing with bare areas or damaged wool in similar locations on both sides of the animal's body or, if on the head, both sides of the poll; abraded, rough, thickened, or hyperpigmented areas of skin in areas of wool/hair loss in similar locations on both sides of the animal's body or, if on the head, both sides of the poll

Less specific clinical signs:

• Unable to walk prior to slaughter or death
• Condemned antemortem at slaughter for non-central nervous systems signs
• Poor body condition despite having good teeth
• Unknown cause of on-farm death

Videos

• Clinical Signs of Scrapie
• Difficulty Eating
• Gait Problems
• Nibbling
• Hopping Gait

One of the best ways to prevent scrapie is to select genetically resistant breeding stock. This practice has significantly reduced scrapie in the United States. Owners of infected flocks should restock with resistant rams and resistant or less susceptible ewes.

We also recommend the following biosecurity measures to reduce the spread of scrapie:

1. Maintain a Closed Herd. Maintain a closed herd with no external contact with sheep or goats. Minimize outside purchases of sheep or goats to reduce the risk of scrapie exposure. Select replacement animals from another closed herd that has measures in place to prevent scrapie introduction or that are genetically resistant.
2. Reduce Exposure. Wash and disinfect boots that have been to facilities with other livestock. After removing debris from surfaces, disinfect with a diluted 5.25% bleach solution (add 50 ounces bleach to 78 ounces of water to create 1 gallon of disinfection solution). Use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as boot covers and gloves, and proper handwashing techniques when traveling between livestock. Reduce commingling of herds in locations where livestock come from various places (such as markets, fairs, or exhibits).
3. Confine Lambing and Kidding. Confine ewes and does that are lambing or kidding so that there is limited contact with other animals. Remove any placental tissues, fluids, and soiled debris as soon as possible after lambing/kidding while wearing PPE. Disinfect the birthing area between births. Ewes and does with unknown scrapie status should remain separated until there is no vaginal discharge. Milk and colostrum from potentially exposed sheep or goats should not be fed to lambs or kids.

There is no treatment for scrapie. To eliminate the disease from an infected flock or herd, genetically susceptible exposed animals and animals showing clinical signs are euthanized and the premises is cleaned and disinfected.

Prions are difficult to decontaminate as they have been shown to tightly bind to surfaces without losing infectivity. They are resistant to most disinfectants including alcohol and formalin. Prion contamination has also been shown to have resistance to heat and radiation. While prion decontamination is difficult, there are methods that can be used. For guidance on cleaning and disinfecting farm equipment and premises, see Appendix 2 in the Scrapie Program Standards Volume 2 (708.43 KB) (708.43 KB).