Importance of Scrapies Eradication
Keeping Sheep and Goats with Scrapies out of Stockhouses and Farms
Aug 23, 2008
While many states started testing for scrapies back in 2001, not every state is on board yet. This has caused problems for "clean states" when scrapies infected animals are brought in from states that do not have a scrapies eradication program.
Part of the reason for the lack of participation had been that there was no proven way of testing the animals for scrapies beyond the shadow of a doubt, which could lead to the unnecessary slaughter of countless ruminants and wreak havoc on many lives dependent upon their sales. Additionally, the cost of getting tested for scrapies is another expense to be subtracted from any profits that the sheep or goat rancher would make.
In some places, such as the Sano Goat Auction in Russell County, KY goats and sheep have been known to be sold for as little as $20 this summer (2008). In July, Sano began requiring that all goats and sheep sold at their auction submit verification that they are scrapie-free from a licensed veterinarian. Subtracting the cost of gas of a truck towing a trailor, and the additional cost of a scrapies exam, many times the farmer barely breaks even, if that.
Change has come as technology has now come up with a way of mostly successfully testing for the disease via eye-lid testing or a "rabbit-test". It is hard to have an excuse not to begin major eradication attempts in every state - although there may be a lot of resistance from poor farmers.
It will be important for outreach programs to educate the public in rural areas about the dangers of scrapies and the fact that it can lay latent for many years before symptoms occur in humans - but once they do, the outcome is horrible.
Scrapies affects the Central Nervous System by way of a protein called a prion. It is a type of spongiform encephalopathy which basically causes swelling in areas of the brain and Alzheimer's-like symptoms - forgetfulness, falling, loss of memory, etc.
It is well within the public interest to eradicate it, even if it means government programs to assist farmers that may have to have their whole flocks killed if scrapies is found among their flock.
A few signs for the sheep and goat farmer to look for are sudden hair loss along with rapid weight loss followed by sudden death. Sometimes the only indication will be sudden death with blood oozing from the nose or mouth - it will usually be a continuing oozing that can last after death. The problem is that if one has it, it is likely that it has already spread to the whole flock or herd. It is best to keep the carcass whole - and burning has been suggested - however it is best to consult the local extension office and have the agricultural agent's input.
Conditions that make it ripe for contraction of scrapies include grazing after a sudden heavy rainfall on heavily grazed pasture, pasture that has been overly grazed causing the animal to nibble from the ground itself. Freezing will not kill it. Again, it is best to contact the local extension office for help.
For those who suspect they may have been exposed to scrapies or any zoonotic disease, they should see a doctor as soon as possible and explain their symptoms and suspicions. Unfortunately, post mortem is the only sure-fire way to know that a human has it, other than to do a brain biopsy, so a neurologist would be the best doctor to take your concerns to.
