Although older animals can be exposed and become infected, lambs and kids are most susceptible to the disease.  Usually lambs and kids are exposed to scrapie through fluids and tissues associated with birthing.

Scrapie develops slowly, and infected animals usually don't show signs to the disease--including weight loss, tremors. loss of coordination, swaying, or wool pulling--until they are 18 months of age or older.  Infected dams may shed the infectious agent or prion during lambing without showing clinical signs or disease.

To prevent scrapie, a flock owner needs to remove sick sheep from the flock and keep the lambing area clean. After each lambing the flock owner should pick up afterbirth, change the bedding, clean the area and use bleach on the fences and ground. Very strong bleach or lye can kill the infectious agent. Ask the people who sell sheep if they are in the Scrapie Certification Program or if they have ever had scrapie. A good plan would be to buy sheep only from scrapie certified flocks.

The true prevalence of scrapie in the U.S. is not known.  In an effort to eradicate scrapie, state and federal animal health officials now require that certain classes of sheep and goats have PREMISE identification ear tags applied BEFORE they are moved from their farm to be sold in interstate commerce OR commingled with sheep and goats from any other farm.

Call the State Veterinarians Office (775-688-1180, ext 230) for more information on the voluntary Scrapie Certification Program.

Useful Links:

USDA, Agricultural Research Service - New Live-Animal Test for Scrapie

USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services - Flock Status Report by State - Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program

Goat Connection - Scrapie