Scrapie is a fatal prion disease of sheep causing neurological deterioration. Genetic selection for resistant genotypes has dramatically reduced incidence in UK flocks.
Scrapie causes progressive and fatal neurological deterioration with no treatment available. Affected sheep experience worsening incoordination, pruritus, tremor and dementia before death or euthanasia. The disease spreads slowly through environmental contamination. Genetic selection programmes have successfully reduced classical scrapie prevalence. Farmers who maintain genotype records and select for resistant rams significantly protect their flocks from the welfare impact and economic loss associated with scrapie outbreaks.