What Is Scrapie?

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats.

It is in the same class of diseases as bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle and chronic

wasting disease in elk and deer. There is no cure or treatment for scrapie. Since 1947, when

scrapie was first diagnosed in the United States, more than 90 percent of all cases have occurred

in black-faced sheep (primarily in the Suffolk and Hampshire breeds). However, scrapie can

infect all breeds of sheep, as well as goats. Most cases of goat scrapie have been related to

goats coming in contact with infected sheep. Disease transmission occurs primarily from an

infected female to her offspring and other lambs or kids exposed to the birth fluids, placenta,

or bedding soiled by the birth fl uids. Male sheep and goats can contract scrapie but cannot

spread the disease.

What Signs Should I Look For?

Clinical signs of scrapie include:

• Weight loss despite a healthy appetite,

• Increased sensitivity to noise/motion,

• High-stepping gait of the forelimbs,

• Bunny-hop movement of the rear limbs,

• Swaying of the back end,

• Loss of coordination,

• Biting at legs or side,

• Behavioral changes,

• Intense rubbing that results in wool loss,

• Wool pulling,

• Tremors,

• Lip smacking,

• Weakness (may be unable to stand), and

• Death.

These symptoms may be confused with pregnancy

toxemia, lice, mites, brain abscesses or tumors, trauma,

pneumonia, toxins, rabies, and pseudorabies.

What Is Required?

The National Scrapie Eradication Program,

coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s

(USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

(APHIS), is a mandatory program that began in 2001 and

requires participation by all sheep and goat producers.

Producers must follow Federal and State regulations for

offi cially identifying their sheep and goats. In Alabama,

sheep and goats must be identified with an eartag or

tattoo prior to selling them or transporting them from

their place of birth. Records of tags or other official

identifi cation applied, sales, and acquisitions must be

kept for 5 years. White plastic eartags and a tag

applicator are available free of charge from USDA-APHIS’

Veterinary Services office. When you request tags, your

flock/herd will be assigned an Alabama Flock/Herd ID

number (AL number) that will be printed on the tags.

See information at right for other key details about the

requirements.

WhatProducers Need ToKnow AboutScrapie

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All Sheep and Goats

• Must be identifi ed before a change of ownership

by any method (private treaty, transport to livestock

market, transport to slaughter facility) and prior to

transport across State lines.

• Must be identifi ed before transport to a show,

fair, petting zoo, or exhibition.

Registry Tattoos

• Registered goats that have a legible registry tattoo

accompanied by a copy of the registration certificate

do not require a scrapie tag if their tattoo is registered

as a unique entity with the breed association and

USDA-APHIS’ Veterinary Services office.

What Else Can I Do To Protect My

Animals?

The Scrapie Certification Program (SFCP) is a voluntary

program. Producers must submit a specifi c request in

writing to participate. There are two categories within

the SFCP: the Export Monitored Category, which can

qualify the fl ock/herd for export out of the United States,

and the Select Monitored Category, which has less stringent requirements. The SFCP may be advantageous to

purebred sheep and goat producers, club lamb producers,

and those producers interested in export.
SCRAPIE

How Does It Affect Sheep and Go

Producers in Alabama?

Alabama Scrapie Eradication Program

Flock ID Application/Tag Order/Tattoo Registration Form

For questions about scrapie or ordering your tags,

please call 866-USDA-TAG (1-866-873-2824).

Owner Name: ____________________________________________________

Farm Name: _____________________________________________________

Physical Street Address (where sheep/goats are located): _______________

_________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address (if different from above): ______________________________

_________________________________________________________________

City: ________________________________, AL Zip: __________________

County: ________________________________________________________

Home Phone #: __________________________________________________

Work Phone #: __________________________________________________

Cell Phone #: ___________________________________________________

Email Address: ___________________________________________________

Number of Adult Goats: __________ Number of Adult Sheep: ___________

My goats are identifi ed with a registered tattoo. My tattoo is: ___________

Primary Breeds of Sheep and/or Goats:

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Send me information on the Scrapie Flock Certifi cation Program:

❏ Select Monitored Category ❏ Export Category

Have you ordered Scrapie Eradication Tags previously? ❏ Yes ❏ No

If yes, what is your USDA-assigned Flock/Herd ID? ________________

If you have been assigned one, what is your

National Premise ID?_______________________________________________

Number of tags requested: ❏ 10 ❏ 20 ❏ 40 ❏ 60 ❏ 80

❏ 100❏ Other amount ________________

Please return this form to the following address:

Animal Industries

1445 Federal Drive, Room 126

Montgomery, AL 36107

Or, you may email or fax this form to:

scrapie@agi.alabama.gov

(334) 240-3793

Animal Industries1445 Federal Drive, Room 126Montgomery, AL 36107Phone: (334) 240-7215Fax: (334) 240-3793

United States Department of Agriculture

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No. 2136

Issued April 2013

Learn More

For more information about scrapie, the National Scrapie

Eradication Program, or the SFCP, contact:

Dr. Cindy Brasfi eld

Designated Scrapie Epidemiologist

USDA/APHIS/Veterinary Services

1445 Federal Drive

Montgomery, AL 36107

Phone: (866) 873-2824

Fax: (334) 240-3793

Email: cynthia.m.brasfi eld@aphis.usda.gov

A wealth of information is also available on APHIS’

Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_

diseases/scrapie.