Scrapie is a notifiable and fatal brain disease that affects sheep and goats.
Signs and symptoms
There are two types of scrapie – classical scrapie and atypical scrapie.
Classical scrapie is highly contagious and usually affects animals aged between 2 and 5 years old. It can be spread via colostrum and milk, and via contaminated animals and what they come into contact with, including pastures where animals have given birth.
Atypical scrapie usually involves animals older than 5 and is believed to not be very contagious or potentially not contagious at all.
The name scrapie refers to the compulsive behaviour displayed by affected animals who may repeatedly rub against objects and nibble at their body to relieve irritated skin.
Affected animals may also act differently (excitable, nervous, aggressive, depressed), display drooping ears and lag behind the herd. It can also affect their gait and their strength, causing trembling (this usually affects the head) and an overall lack of coordination and weakness, including the inability to stand. Weight loss is a late clinical sign.
For more information on how to spot scrapie, what to do if you suspect it and how to help control and prevent it, visit: GOV.UK | Scrapie: how to spot and report the disease
Reporting suspected cases of scrapie
Scrapie is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases of scrapie must be reported immediately. Failure to do so is an offence.
Detection of a positive case of atypical scrapie no longer triggers APHA restrictions on a holding.
- England – call the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
- Wales – contact 0300 303 8268.
- Scotland – contact your local Field Services Office.
Scrapie surveillance
Measures for the prevention, control and eradication of TSEs (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies) including scrapie are required by law.
Testing is carried out on around 15,000 randomly selected fallen sheep and 500 goats per year across Great Britain.
Fallen stock over 18 months old is tested alongside a sample of nearly 5,000 healthy sheep that have been sent for slaughter.
The survey provides valuable insight into the distribution, causes and control of the disease within populations.
While the decline in classical scrapie cases in recent years highlights the progress made in disease control and management, industry support remains critical in maintaining robust surveillance and important trade and export markets.
