Scrapie - Atypical
Scrapie - Atypical
Atypical scrapie is a distinct condition unrelated to scrapie (formerly defined as classical scrapie).
The evolving mainstream international scientific view on atypical scrapie is that it is a spontaneously occurring degenerative brain condition older sheep. It can also affect 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, atypical scrapie 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.'
Although atypical scrapie has been found in a number of European countries since it was identified in 1998, it has been found only at very low incidence rates.
No evidence of the condition has been found in New Zealand.
Scrapie has been a notifiable disease in New Zealand since 1952 and an active surveillance programme has been in place since 1990. This surveillance supported New Zealand's case for recognition of freedom from scrapie. No evidence of atypical scrapie has been found.
New Zealand continues to supply sheep brains as negative controls for EU research purposes. Atypical scrapie has not been detected in the thousands of brains supplied to date.
New Zealand's livestock populations are internationally recognised as free from scrapie.
There is scientific consensus that there are no associated human health concerns, food safety implications or animal health concerns from this condition.
More information about Atypical Scrapie can be found at:
- http://www.seac.gov.uk/pdf/positionstatement-sheep-subgroup.pdf
- FAQs about the Atypical scrapie investigation by Defra - 2006
-
Briefing Note 15 November 2006- Atypical Scrapie
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is assisting the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to investigate a recent case of Atypical Scrapie in a sheep that may have possible links to New Zealand.
Atypical Scrapie is a newly discovered brain condition distinct from Classical Scrapie that affects sheep and goats. Neither is considered a risk to human health.
MAF understands that the affected sheep was born in a UK research facility, and that breeding records link it to sheep imported from New Zealand in 1998.
While little is known about the causes of Atypical Scrapie, there are a number of ways this sheep could have become infected. These are being investigated by Defra.
New Zealand will assist Defra to identify how the sheep could have become infected and any possible New Zealand link. This will take some time.
New Zealand is free of Classical Scrapie and has found no evidence of Atypical Scrapie. This status remains unchanged.
MAF and the NZFSA will be providing our trading partners with any information they may seek on this issue.
- For information about scrapie, see the TSE page
Page last updated: 20 February 2009