e Eradication April 2014 Monthly Report

 

 

 

National Scrapi 

National Scrapie Eradication Program 

Fiscal Year 2022 Report 

October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 

U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

Veterinary Services 

Strategy and Policy Unit 

Sheep and Goat Health Center 

Prepared January 5, 2023 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ntroduction - Program Summary

 

 

 

 

 

 

I 

Introduction 

The National Scrapie Eradication Program focuses on seven 

primary areas: 

• Education and prevention 

• Animal identification and compliance 

• Surveillance [Regulatory Scrapie Slaughter Surveillance (RSSS) and on-farm] 

• Tracing positive and exposed animals and testing exposed animals 

• Cleanup of infected and source flocks through genetic susceptibility testing 

and indemnification of susceptible exposed animals 

• Monitoring previously infected and exposed flocks 

• The Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Summary 

Performance Measures - The percent of cull black-faced sheep found positive at 

slaughter (Chart 1) and the percent of cull sheep found positive at slaughter 

adjusted for face color1 (Chart 2) was 0.0% in fiscal year (FY) 2022. 

Positive Animals – No classical scrapie was confirmed in goats or sheep in FY 

2022. Nor98-like scrapie was confirmed in 1 sheep sampled in August 2022. The 

most recent case that tested positive for classical scrapie was in one sheep 

sampled at slaughter in January of FY 2021. This sheep had resided in a flock in 

Wisconsin, and VS attributed the flock of origin to Arkansas; it was not completely 

traceable due to lack of identification to flock of origin. 

States that have been free of classical scrapie cases for >7 Fiscal Years 

Sheep: 44 states (Figure 1 and Figure 2) 

Goats: 48 states (Figure 3 and Figure 4) 

1White, black and mottled-faced color sheep are weighted based on population; white-faced sheep have 

the greatest weight. If a white-faced positive sheep is found, this statistic will markedly increase. See notes 

below for details. 
Progr am Summary

Program Summary 

Infected and Source Flocks - The number of newly designated infected and source 

flocks by fiscal year since FY 1997 is shown in Chart 3. The peak was in FY 2005 with 

179 flocks. 
Program Summary 

Scrapie in Goats –The total number of NVSL confirmed positive cases in goats is 44 

since FY 2002. Samples from three of these positive animals were collected through 

RSSS, one in November 2014, the second in July 2018, and the most recent in June 

2019. The remainder of the positive cases have been found though testing of clinical 

suspects, testing of exposed animals, and trace-out investigations. 

Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) – At the end of the FY 2022, there 

were 194 flocks participating in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program 

(SFCP). Statuses of these flocks were 31 export monitored, 41 export certified, and 122 

select monitored flocks (Figure 5). SFCP open statuses by fiscal year of Status date2 

from FY 2007 to FY 2022 are depicted in Chart 4. 

2Chart 4 represents the cumulative change in SFCP enrollment over time, and includes open and closed 

statuses/programs, and active and inactive flocks/herds. Previous charts of SFCP participation by year were 

manually updated and used the enrollment date to determine the year of participation in SFCP. With the change 

to Tableau charts, the start/status date is used. Many participating flocks were grandfathered into the Export 

category in 2013 with an earlier status date. 
 

 

Surveillance 

Surveillance activities are reported by Field Operations Districts shown in Figure 6. 

Surveillance minimums are based on estimated breeding sheep and goat populations in 

each State, and the distribution of sheep and goat populations by District is shown in 

Chart 5. 

Components of Scrapie Surveillance 

• Regulatory Scrapie Slaughter Surveillance (RSSS) started April 1, 2003. It is a targeted 

slaughter surveillance program which is designed to identify infected flocks. As of the end of FY 

2022, samples have been collected from 718,646 animals since April 1, 2003. 21,636 samples 

were collected in FY 2022, 14,703 from sheep and 6,933 from goats.

3 There have been 491 

NVSL confirmed positive animals (474 classical cases – 471 sheep and 3 goats) and 18 Nor98-

like cases since the beginning of RSSS. Figure 6 depicts RSSS collection sites in FY 2022. 

3Total sampling is decreased primarily due to the negative impacts of COVID-19 and HPAI on the ability to collect 

samples. 
 

Surveillance 

Components of Scrapie Surveillance 

• RSSS Genotyping started in November 2018 as a pilot project to decrease the costs of scrapie 

IHC testing in a subset of submission by only testing those animals that are genetically 

susceptible to scrapie. DNA is first analyzed to determine the genotype at codon 171, and 

tissue samples are only IHC tested if the sheep is genetically susceptible, not if it is genetically 

resistant/less susceptible (QR, RR, RK, or RH). The number of genotyped sheep is included in 

the total number of sheep tested through RSSS. To date, no samples from genetically 

susceptible sheep referred for scrapie testing have tested positive. The project was deemed in 

May 2021 to result in cost savings and RSSS genotyping will be continued indefinitely at the 

currently participating sites. 

• In FY 2019 – FY 2021, a total of 10,524 sheep were genotyped; 7,509 (71.4%) of these 

were not genetically susceptible. 

• In FY 2022, 2,673 sheep were genotyped; 1,854 (69.4%) of these were not genetically 

susceptible. 

The number of sheep and goats collected in each District for RSSS is shown in Chart 6. Figure 7 is a 

hex map, representing the number of animals collected in each State. Chart 7 compares RSSS 

sampling by month for the current year with the monthly average of the previous 6 years. 
Surveillance 

Components of Scrapie Surveillance (continued) 

• On-farm Surveillance includes both regulatory testing of scrapie exposed and potentially 

exposed sheep and goats and testing sheep and goats on farm for routine surveillance. 

704 sheep and 818 goats were tested on-farm in FY 2022. No animals tested positive. 

Surveillance Goals 

The annual target is to test at least 40,000 animals for scrapie. Negative impacts of COVID-19 

and HPAI reduced the ability to collect samples and contributed to not meeting this target. 

23,158 animals were sampled for scrapie testing in FY 2022. 

• 21,636 RSSS samples and 1,522 on-farm samples 

• Of which 15,407 were sheep and 7,751 were goats. 

Progress towards meeting the national surveillance target is depicted in Chart 8. Distribution 

of sampling by type (RSSS or on-farm) and by species is shown in Chart 9. Chart 10 and 

Table 1 is a breakdown by face-color (sheep) and type (goats) by age. Chart 11 shows 

samples collected at slaughter by fiscal year by species and face-color (sheep). 
Surveillance 

State Sampling Minimums 

The National Scrapie Eradication Program establishes annual sheep and goat sampling 

minimums for each State and tracks the States’ level of compliance with meeting these 

minimums. These State minimums were implemented in FY 2010 to ensure adequate 

geographical representation, so that APHIS can find the last remaining cases and document 

freedom from scrapie. State sampling minimums are established based on the population 

demographics of mature sheep and goats in each State. The calculations used to derive the 

sampling minimums are described in the National Scrapie Surveillance Plan. The total 

number of animals sampled by State of Animal ID, are listed in in the following slides: 

District 1 Table 2 District 3 Table 4 

District 2 Table 3 District 4 Table 5 

The percent sampling minimum for sheep and goats achieved by each State in FY 2022 are 

depicted in Figure 8 and Figure 9.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surveillance 

Surveillance option for meeting state minimums 

Historically, several States have had difficulty meeting their annual sampling requirement. 

Starting in FY 2018, these States were able to increase and, in most cases, meet the sampling 

minimum by identifying sheep producers or dealers for genotyping of codon 171 prior to liveanimal testing (rectal biopsy) of the genetically susceptible (primarily QQ, also KK, QH, QK) 

animals. Genotyping is done to reduce the costs associated with live-animal testing. The 

susceptible sheep that were live-animal tested and the genetically less susceptible (QR, RK, or 

RH) and genetically resistant (RR) sheep were credited to the State. Under this option, 764 

sheep were genotyped during FY 2022; 119 of these had genotypes considered susceptible 

(15.6%). None of the susceptible animals that were live-animal tested were positive. In all, 645 

sheep with genotypes considered resistant were credited to States. 

Sheep sampled on producer premises that had tags originating in a different State were 

credited to both the State of origin and the State where sampling occurred; if sampling 

occurred on a dealer premises they were credited only to the State of origin. These additional 

samples are included in the Total Number of Sheep Sampled column of Districts Tables (Tables 

2 through 7), and in the calculations for the hex maps showing the percent of sampling 

minimum achieved (Figures 6 and 7). These genotyped animals are not included in any other 

charts in this report. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surveillance 

Surveillance Stages 

Surveillance objectives for scrapie will be addressed in three stages: 

• Stage 1. Eradicate scrapie in the U.S. sheep & goat population by finding remaining cases. 

• Stage 2. Continue high-level surveillance to ensure that no cases remain. 

• Stage 3. Maintain sufficient ongoing monitoring to meet World Organisation for Animal 

Health (OIE) requirements. 

A sampling rate of 6/1000 breeding ewes or does is used for stage 1 minimums, and a 

sampling rate of 4/1000 breeding ewes or does is used for stage 2 minimums. 

For Stage 1 states to be eligible to progress to Stage 2 they must achieve 90% or more of their 

annual state minimums for 4 out of the past 5 years and not have had a positive scrapie case 

for a minimum of 7 years. 

Figure 10 and Figure 11 show the sampling stage of each state for sheep for FY 2022 and FY 

2023 respectively. 

For goats, the sampling minimum was set at stage 2 sampling levels in order to allow time for 

implementation of goat ID requirements. Any state that has a positive goat going forward will 

be moved to stage 1. 
 

 

 

 

Conclusion 

• Meeting sampling minimums was challenging for states due to HPAI and 

COVID-19 impacts on ability of personnel to collect samples 

• Most states met their sampling minimums for sheep and goats 

• The remainder of this report contains figures, tables, and charts to 

accompany the previous slides 

13 
 

 

 

Percent of RSSS Sheep Samples that Tested Positive 

for Classical Scrapie - By Face Color 

FY 2003 – FY 2022* 

0.0% 

0.1% 

0.2% 

0.3% 

0.4% 

0.5% 

0.6% 

0.7% 

0.8% 

0.9% 

1.0% 

% Pos '03 

% Pos '04 

% Pos '05 

% Pos '06 

% Pos '07 

% Pos '08 

% Pos '09 

% Pos '10 

% Pos '11 

% Pos '12 

% Pos '13 

% Pos '14 

% Pos '15 

% Pos '16 

% Pos '17 

% Pos '18 

% Pos '19 

% Pos '20 

% Pos '21 

% Pos '22 (Chart 1) 

* Adjusted to exclude multiple positive animals from same flock. Mottled- and white-faced combined. Does 

not include Nor98-like scrapie cases found through RSSS. 
 

 

 

Percent of RSSS Sheep Samples that Tested Positive for 

Classical Scrapie - Weighted by Face Color 

FY 2003 – FY 2022* 

% Pos '03 

0.16% % Pos '04 

% Pos '05 

0.14% % Pos '06 

% Pos '07 

0.12% % Pos '08 

% Pos '09 

% Pos '10 

% Pos '11 

% Pos '12 

0.10% 

0.08% 

% Pos '13 

% Pos '14 0.06% 

% Pos '15 

% Pos '16 0.04% 

% Pos '17 

% Pos '18 

0.02% % Pos '19 

% Pos '20 

0.00% % Pos '21 

% Pos '22 

* Adjusted to exclude multiple positive animals from the same flock. Does not include Nor98-like scrapie 

(Chart 2) 

cases found through RSSS. 
 

States Free of Classical Scrapie >7 FY in Sheep 

No cases of 

scrapie in last 

7 FY in sheep 

(Figure 1) 
 

States with Classical Scrapie in last 7 FY in Sheep 

(Figure 2) 

States with cases of classical 

scrapie in sheep in the last 7 FY 

with FY of detection 
 

States Free of Classical Scrapie >7 FY in Goats 

No cases of 

scrapie in last 

7 FY in goats 

(Figure 3) 
States with Classical Scrapie in last 7 FY in Goats 

(Figure 4) 

States with cases of classical 

scrapie in goats in the last 7 FY 

with FY of detection 
Infected and Source Flocks 

New Statuses by Year – Fiscal Years 1997 to 2022 

0 

50 

100 

150 

200 

Infected 

Source 

(Chart 3) 
Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program: 

Participating Flocks and Herds 

(Figure 5) 
 

 

 

SFCP Participating Flocks Based on Status Date 

FY 2007 to FY 2022 

(Chart 4) 

Represents the cumulative change in SFCP enrollment over time, and includes open and closed statuses/programs, and active 

and inactive flocks/herds. Chart is based on current or last status date; many participating flocks were grandfathered into 

Export program in 2013 with earlier status date. 
Field Operations Districts and RSSS Sample 

Collections – FY 2022 

154 collection sites in 40 states 

MT 

ID 

WA 

OR 

NV 

UT 

CA 

AZ 

ND 

SD 

NE 

CO 

NM 

TX 

OK 

KS 

AR 

LA 

MO 

IA 

MN 

WI 

IL IN 

KY 

TN 

MS AL GA 

FL 

SC 

NC 

VA WV 

OH 

NY 

MI 

PA 

MD 

DE 

NJ 

RI 

CT 

MA 

ME 

VT 

NH 

WY 

st 

AK 

HI 

States with RSSS 

PR 

VI 

District 1 

District 2 

District 3 

District 4 

collection sites 

(Figure 6) 
 

 

Total Breeding Adult Sheep and Goat 

Populations by District* 

Sheep 

Goats 

(Chart 5) 

* Source: NASS Sheep and Goat, January 31, 2022. 

** Does not include sheep and goats residing on the Navajo Nation. 
Total RSSS Samples Collected by District

FY 2022 

(Chart 6) 
 

Total RSSS Samples Collected by State 

FY 2022 

States with no 

RSSS collections 

(Figure 7) 
Comparison by Month of RSSS Samples Collected in 

FY 2022 to Average of FY 2015 – FY 2021 

(Chart 7) 
Cumulative Number of Animals Sampled by Month FY 2022 

(Chart 8) 
RSSS and On-Farm Surveillance 

Sampling by Species 

FY 2022 

(Chart 9) 

21,636 Total 1,522 Total 
RSSS and On-Farm Surveillance Testing by Species FY 2022 

(Chart 10) 
 

 

RSSS and On-Farm Surveillance Testing by Species 

FY 2022 

(Table 1)

Darker shading represents greater number of animals tested that met targeting criteria. 
 

 

Surveillance Samples Collected at Slaughter 

FY 2003 – 2022 

45000 

40000 

35000 

30000 Goat 

25000 Other Sheep 

20000 White Face 

15000 Mottled <1% Black 

10000 Mottled Face 

5000 Black Face 

0 

(Chart 11) 

Other sheep includes hair sheep, and sheep with gray, red, or unknown face color. Chart includes animals 

collected for RSSS & CSPS. 
 

FY 2022 Sheep 

and Goat State 

Sampling 

Minimums and 

State Collections 

- District 1 

(Table 2) 
 

FY 2022 Sheep 

and Goat State 

Sampling 

Minimums and 

State Collections 

- District 2 

(Table 3) 
 

FY 2022 Sheep 

and Goat State 

Sampling 

Minimums and 

State Collections 

- District 3 

(Table 4) 
 

FY 2022 Sheep 

and Goat State 

Sampling 

Minimums and 

State Collections 

- District 4 

(Table 5) 
Percent of Sampling Minimum Achieved in FY 2022 - RSSS 

and On-farm Surveillance - Sheep 

(Figure 8) 
 

 

Percent of Sampling Minimum Achieved in FY 2022 - RSSS and 

On-farm Surveillance - Goats 

(Figure 9) 

AK and RI have a sampling minimum of 1, and DE has a sampling minimum of 2. 
FY 2022 Sheep Surveillance Sampling Stages 

AK 

WY 

WV 

WI 

WA 

VT 

VA 

UT 

TX 

TN 

SD 

SC 

PA 

OR 

OK 

OH 

NY 

NV 

NM 

NJ 

NH 

NE 

ND 

NC 

MT 

MO 

MA 

MS 

MN 

MI 

LA 

KY 

KS 

IL IN

CA 

ME 

ID 

IA 

GA 

FL 

DE 

CT 

CO 

AZ 

AR 

AL 

(Figure 10) 

RI 

HI 
FY 2023 Sheep Surveillance Sampling Stages 

AK 

WY 

WV 

WI 

WA 

VT 

VA 

UT 

TX 

TN 

SD 

SC 

PA 

OR 

OK 

OH 

NY 

NV 

NM 

NJ 

NH 

NE 

ND 

NC 

MT 

MO 

MA 

MS 

MN 

MI 

LA 

KY 

KS 

IL IN

CA 

ME 

ID 

IA 

GA 

FL 

DE 

CT 

CO 

AZ 

AR 

AL 

(Figure 11) 

RI 

HI