Sheep scab, caused by the Psoroptes ovis mite, causes intense itching and significant welfare harm, and remains prevalent in UK flocks despite effective treatments being available.
Sheep scab causes one of the most severe welfare impacts of any sheep disease: the itch from Psoroptes mite infestation is extreme and unrelenting, causing sheep to rub raw and bite wool until significant tissue damage occurs. Affected animals lose condition rapidly due to the metabolic cost of constant movement and self-trauma. The condition is entirely preventable through appropriate biosecurity at stock movement and treatable with licensed medications; its continued prevalence in UK sheep reflects inadequate biosecurity practices and insufficient monitoring rather than any lack of available tools.