Scrapie FAQ

Scrapie is a chronic, fatal disease of the nervous system of sheep and goats, though it is more common in sheep. It can take up to two years (after infection) for symptoms to appear. There is no treatment or cure.

The organism that causes the disease is thought to spread from mother to offspring through the placenta and its fluids. 

Since the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Scrapie Slaughter Surveillance began in 2003, the measure of prevalence of the disease has decreased 99 percent.

There is no evidence that people who consume sheep or goat meat or milk or who work with sheep and goats are at risk of contracting scrapie, but it is recommended that the meat from positive animals not be used for human consumption.

The early symptoms are of a nervous animal, with muscle tremors and a wobbly gait. Symptoms of scrapie may mimic other nervous conditions (fine tremors, head pressing and stargazing), so never automatically assume your animals have scrapie. Goats differ from sheep in that the classic sign of intense itching and rubbing is not as common. It takes up to five years for symptoms to appear and one to six months for them to progress to the point where the animals eventually lie down and die. There is no treatment.

Scrapie can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, based on the symptoms, knowledge of the animal’s history, and testing. If an animal has died, microscopic examination of brain tissue can detect the telltale (“sponge-like”) abnormalities in the tissue. Producers can call the USDA to arrange for sampling of any adult animals that have died on the farm.

The USDA’s accelerated Scrapie Eradication Program is based on the following three principles:

• Identification of preclinical animals by testing live animals, and surveillance and slaughter of those that test positive.
• Tracing infected animals to their herd of origin.
• Herd cleanup through the use of genetic-based strategies.

Through the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, exposed and infected scrapie flocks/herds detected under the USDA Scrapie Eradication Program will be provided with:

• Live animal testing;
• Compensation for scrapie suspect, high-risk and positive animals, which have to be euthanized; and
• Testing for animals that have been sold from infected flocks/herds.

Chapters 5C-3, 5C-4 and 5C-29, Florida Administrative Code, require that before your animals leave your premises, they must be officially identified with a scrapie identification number (tag, tattoo or microchip). Nationally, all sheep and goats moving intrastate have to be individually identified.

There are three ways to officially identify animals under the scrapie program: tags, tattoos or microchips. USDA tags are provided free to producers. You can contact USDA to enroll in the program and get tags by calling 1-866-873-2824. Registered animals may be identified with a registration tattoo in lieu of an official ear tag, as long as the tattoo is either the same as the herd ID assigned by USDA or the animal is accompanied by a copy of the registration certificate listing the current owner. Producers should check with USDA first to make sure their registry is on file. Microchips are accepted if sheep or goats registered with national associations allow their use for official registry identification. 

The mandatory program requires official identification of sheep and goats that are being moved off their premises of origin over 18 months of age; no inspection required; ear tags are free (from USDA) to the producer; requires tamper-resistant identification; may use white or blue tags, microchips or registered tattoos.

The voluntary program officially identifies all sheep and goats over 1 year of age. After initial inspection and testing, the enrolled flock is inspected annually; herd owners enrolled in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program must purchase their own approved identification; requires permanent, unique, tamper-evident identification; may use white or colored tags, microchips or registered tattoos.

Florida is considered a scrapie-compliant state, adopting the National Scrapie Eradication Program guidelines. However, Florida rules 5C-3, Importation of Animals, 5C-4, Admission of Animals for Exhibition, and 5C-29, Scrapie, differ from the national program identification requirements in that animals of any age moving off the farm must be officially identified.

To enroll in either program and obtain official identification tags, contact:

USDA APHIS, Veterinary Services
1-866-873-2824

• Florida Dairy Goat Association
• Meat Sheep Alliance of Florida
• National Scrapie Change Education Initiative