This infosheet is by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
What is scrapie and why is surveillance important?
Scrapie is a very rare, devastating disease that affects the central nervous system of goats and sheep. It is in the same class of diseases as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in elk and deer. Like these diseases, once an animal is infected with scrapie, it is always fatal.
Sheep and goats can get scrapie by either coming into direct contact with the saliva, urine, feces, blood or birthing fluids of an infected animal, or indirectly by ingesting anything from, living in or spending time in a contaminated environment like a barn or pasture. Males are just as susceptible to becoming infected with scrapie as females.
Scrapie develops slowly. A sheep or goat can be infected for a long time and be spreading the disease without appearing ill. Clinical signs are typically seen between 2 and 5 years of age, but some animals can be much older. Once an animal finally does appear ill, it typically dies within months. In Canada, some scrapie-infected sheep and goats present as thin, or weak and wasting despite having a good appetite, while others are simply “poor doers.” Other signs may include trembling, excitability, lack of coordination, itchiness and sudden death. There is currently no treatment, vaccine or way to test an individual live sheep or goat for this disease. Therefore surveillance testing of animals that die, are slaughtered, or are euthanized is critical to ultimately eliminating scrapie from Canada.
What is the National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP)?
veterinarians, laboratories and governments. The NSEP is made up of three different internationally recognized, science-based programs:
- On-farm disease response – In the event of a positive case.
- Scrapie surveillance system – Any producer can participate; no enrollment is required. The system involves free testing of deceased mature sheep or goats (over 12 months of age). It aims for a sufficient number of sheep and goat samples per province, and samples come from abattoirs, farms, stockyards, laboratories, etc.
- Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP) – A voluntary risk management program where enrolled producers agree to follow specific standards over several years to achieve negligible risk status for scrapie. This enhances their own herd’s well-being and facilitates trade within Canada and for export.
What do I need to know about having my sheep or goat sampled?
The mature small ruminants that die on-farm are the most valuable animals for scrapie sampling. Therefore, if you have a mature sheep or goat that is found dead, or is euthanized or slaughtered on-farm, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) can test for scrapie at no cost to you. Additionally, any small ruminants with clinical signs of scrapie must be reported to the CFIA right away. If scrapie is suspected, your animal may be euthanized (with compensation) and tested for scrapie.
Scrapie is a reportable disease in Canada. Contact your local CFIA district office immediately if you suspect scrapie in your flock or herd.
How do I contact my local CFIA District Office to learn more about scrapie or have my sheep or goat tested?
Barrie: 705-739-0008
London: 519-691-1300
Ottawa: 613-773-8660
Thunder Bay: 807-683-4370
Belleville: 613-969-3320
Markham: 905-513-2850
Peterborough: 705-742-6917
Walkerton: 519-881-2431
Brockville: 613-342-3682
Mississauga: 289-247-4100
Port Perry: 905-985-1870
Windsor: 519-969-2522
Guelph: 226-217-1200
Mitchell: 519-348-0433
Sarnia: 519-332-3031
Woodstock: 519-539-8505
Hamilton: 905-572-2201
North Bay: 705-495-5995
St. Catharines: 905-937-7434