Scrapie
About Scrapie
Scrapie is a slow, transmissible degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system and brains of sheep and goats. Scrapie is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). It is usually fatal. Affected animals rub or scrape themselves to relieve itching. The disease cannot be spread from sheep to cattle, and there is no evidence that people who consume sheep meat or milk or who work with sheep are at risk of contracting scrapie. The disease develops slowly and infected sheep may take years to show symptoms. More (PDF).
In 2002, the NDSU sheep herd was affected with Scrapie resulting in quarantine of the herd; the NDSU Scrapie Research Initiative for the control, eradication and understanding of the disease developed from this experience with scrapie.
Selected Websites
Extension Publications
Search for publications provided by Land Grant University extension programs. Extension publications provide reliable up-to-date information on a myriad of topics.
Books
Selected books on scrapie and prion diseases in sheep and other animals.
Journal articles
AGRICOLA search for articles on scrapie in the National Agricultural Library bibliographic database. The "canned search" is limited to articles published 2000 - present.
Local Newspaper and Newsletter Articles
NDSU College of Agriculture news briefs. Use the term scrapie in the NDSU College of Agriculture search box for information about the NDSU outbreak, the Scrapie Research Initive, and general information about the disease.
Fargo Forum. For articles, especially those concerning the scrapie outbreak in the NDSU sheep herd in 2002, search the Fargo Forum. Articles are available for purchase from The Forum; articles are also on microfilm and available at NDSU Library.
Other Local Newspaper Articles
Managing scrapie at NDSU. Agweek April 8, 2002, Page 33 "A plan to manage scrapie in the North Dakota State University, Fargo, sheep flock could be the first in the country to rely on tests of each animal's inherent resistance to the fatal disease, the state veterinarian says."
Scrapie plan breaks ground. First in country to rely on genetic testing. Grand Forks Herald. April 4, 2002
Sheep herd quarantined because of scrapie outbreak. The Spectrum (NDSU). March 26, 2002. Page: 1
NDSU sheep herd quarantined. It's Happening at State, March 27, 2002, p1.
Scrapie forces NDSU to quarantine sheep. Agweek. March 25, 2002
NDSU helps unravel mad cow mystery Fargo Forum Jan. 04, 2004. NDSU Scrapie research may help with mad cow research.