Selective Monitored Category. Selective Monitored Category is open to any flock and was designed for slaughter lamb producers to allow for scrapie surveillance in large production flocks. Only male animals over 1 year of age must be officially identified. Producers agree to submit for scrapie diagnosis animals that are culled from the flock or that die. Additionally, an accredited veterinarian must inspect all cull ewes for clinical signs of scrapie prior to slaughter.
Selective status is maintained indefinitely, as long as the flock meets the category requirements.
If scrapie is diagnosed in a flock in any program category, animal health officials will conduct an epidemiologic investigation. The investigation will identify and trace back the source of the disease and identify exposed animals. These officials will work with the flock owner to develop and implement a flock plan. The flock plan will include depopulation of high-risk animals, reduction of risk associated with spread of infection, and facility cleanup and disinfection. The program standards also give guidelines for reducing the risk of scrapie exposure when sheep are at shows or are being transported.