Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. Infected flocks typically experience significant production losses. The U.S. sheep and goat industry continues to experience export losses and increased production and disposal costs because the United States is not free of scrapie.
Scrapie is difficult to detect. It can take 2 to 5 years for an animal to show signs of disease, and current diagnostic tests require brain or lymphoid tissue. Animals typically live 1 to 6 months after they begin to show signs. Most are infected as young lambs or kids, but adult animals can get it, too. Apparently healthy animals infected with the disease agent can spread it.
National Scrapie Eradication Program
A cornerstone of the National Scrapie Eradication Program is the official identification of certain sheep and goats in order to provide traceability back to the flock of birth. Because most sheep or goats that become infected with scrapie are infected as young lambs or kids, accurate traceability of infected animals is critical to finding any other animals that may have also been exposed to the disease.
Scrapie Flock Registration
Generally, each sheep or goat producer in Oregon must register their flock and obtain a scrapie flock number. Unlike premises ID numbers which are specific to a location, a scrapie flock number will stay will a producer as long as they remain within the State of Oregon, even if they move to a new location. In Oregon, producers may request a scrapie flock number by completing the
Oregon Scrapie Flock Registration Application and returning the completed application to ODA.
Official Identification for Sheep and Goats
There are a number of official identification methods that are acceptable in sheep and goats under the National Scrapie Eradication Program standards. These options are summarized on the
Official Identification page.
Generally, there are three categories of sheep and goats that are required to be officially identified when leaving the flock or herd of origin in Oregon:
- Any sheep or goat (regardless of age or sex) that is intended for exhibition
- Any sexually intact sheep or goat (regardless of age) that is not confined solely to slaughter channels
- Any sheep or goat (regardless of sex) in slaughter channels that is over 18 months of age.
Resources
ODA Resources
-
Official ID Messy Ears Sheep — English, Español
A double-sided infographic providing details about common official ID in sheep. -
Oregon Scrapie Identification Requirements -
English, Español
A printable handout including a decision tree for determining when scrapie identification is required for sheep and goats.
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Oregon Scrapie Flock Registration Application
Application to obtain a scrapie flock number for an Oregon sheep flock or goat herd. Listed premises will also be issued a premises ID number (if not already issued), and will be linked to the scrapie flock number for use with EID ear tags or microchips.
- Scrapie Disease Information
ODA Animal Health website with information on scrapie as a disease in sheep and goats.
Other Resources