Nor 98/atypical scrapie
Nor 98/atypical scrapie
Nor 98 also known as atypical scrapie
Nor 98/atypical scrapie is a distinct brain condition in sheep and goats that is completely unrelated to scrapie (formerly defined as classical scrapie).
The evolving mainstream international scientific view on Nor 98/atypical scrapie is that it is a spontaneously occurring degenerative brain condition older sheep and goats.
It differs from scrapie in its clinical, neuropathological and biochemical features. Most cases have been detected in apparently healthy sheep by post mortem examination during routine slaughter as part of the European Union's programme of looking for evidence of BSE ("mad cow disease") in European sheep.
The United Kingdom Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) has concluded that: 'On the basis of a number of characteristics, Nor 98 can reliably be distinguished from both scrapie and from experimental BSE in sheep.' Their statement goes on to say, 'on the basis of emerging data, it may be more appropriate to consider atypical scrapie as a distinct TSE (transmissible spongiform encephalopathy) of small ruminants and not simply a variant of what is now called scrapie.'
Nor 98/atypical scrapie has been found in a number of countries since it was first identified in Norway in 1998. It has been found at only very low incidence rates - approximately one in 1,000 sheep tested.
A single New Zealand sheep brain (which had been sent to Europe as part of a programme providing brains to assist the EU in developing testing for scrapie) tested positive for Nor 98/atypical scrapie in October 2009. This is indicative that the condition is present in New Zealand and is expected to be at a similar prevalence to other countries where it has been detected. International evidence shows every country that has specifically tested its sheep for the condition has found it.
There is scientific consensus that there are no associated human health concerns, food safety issues or animal health concerns from Nor 98/atypical scrapie.
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority agrees with UK Food Standards Agency advice that there is no reason to stop eating lamb or mutton (sheep meat) and goat meat or products derived from these animals.
Scrapie (classical) has been a notifiable disease in New Zealand since 1952 and an active surveillance programme has been in place since 1990. This surveillance supports New Zealand's case for recognition of freedom from scrapie. No evidence of scrapie has been found.
New Zealand's livestock populations remain internationally recognised as free from scrapie.
- More information about Nor 98 can be found in these FAQ's
(24 KB). - Media release on detection of Nor 98/atypical scrapie
- MAFBNZ and NZFSA Response Position Statement (181 KB) on responding to a confirmed case of 'atypical scrapie' in New Zealand (September 2009)
- Background paper (427 KB) - A case of Nor 98/atypical scrapie in a sheep from New Zealand
- Literature review (51 KB) of atypical scrapie
- UK Food Standards Agency information on Nor 98/atypical scrapie
- Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) Position Statement on Nor 98/atypical scrapie
For information about scrapie (classical), see the TSE page
Page last updated: 6 November 2009