Kory Nicholi Kwasow

Chronic disease of central nervous system in sheep and occasionally goats

Transmitted by an unclassified agent which is smaller than the smallest known viruses

Spread most likely through the placenta of a ewe to her young and also through the urine into open areas.

Called a Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) which is a group of diseases affecting the brain and nervous system of animals

Endemic in Great Britain for over 250 years First case in United States; Michigan 1947 As of July 2001 over 1000 flocks affected in

U.S. Most of these are the Suffolk breed Reports of scrapie are now throughout the

world Only two countries. New Zealand and

Australia, have never reported any cases of scrapie

Takes a long time to develop as the brain becomes spongy

Tremors Behavioral changes (temperament,

rubbing body, easily startled) Can mimic signs of rabies Dry wool which will fall off

Biomedcentral.com

A test is now available which examines the lymphatic tissue from third eyelid.

Great Britain has a anti-scrapie plan which educates and encourages the use of sheep and goats which are genetically more resistant to scrapies.

http://www.eradicatescrapie.org/About%20Scrapie/Fact%20Sheet.html

http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/t0756e/T0756E06.htm

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/5/33