Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease that affects the nervous systems of sheep and goats. It is one of several transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which are related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or "mad cow disease"). Like other spongiform encephalopathies, scrapie is believed to be caused by a prion. Scrapie has been known since the 18th century (1732) and does not appear to be transmissible to humans. A disease is an abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person afflicted or those in contact with the person. ... The nervous system of an animal coordinates the activity of the muscles, monitors the organs, constructs and also stops input from the senses, and initiates actions. ... Species See text. ... This article is about goats, the animals. ... Neither this nor any other article from the Wikimedia Foundation should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine. ... Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease of cattle, which infects by a mechanism that surprised biologists on its discovery in late 20th century. ... This article has been identified as possibly containing errors. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Binomial name Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 Subspecies Homo sapiens idaltu† Homo sapiens sapiens Homo (genus). ...

The name scrapie is derived from one of the symptoms of the condition, wherein affected animals will compulsively scrape off their fleece against rocks, trees or fences. The disease apparently causes an uncontrollable itching sensation in the animals. Other symptoms include excessive lip-smacking, strange gaits, and convulsive collapse.

Scrapie is infectious and transmissible among similar animals, and so one of the most common ways to contain scrapie (since it is incurable) is to quarantine and destroy those affected. However, scrapie tends to persist in flocks and can also arise apparently spontaneously in flocks that have not previously had cases of the disease. The mechanism of transmission between animals and other aspects of the biology of the disease are only poorly understood and these are active areas of research. Recent studies suggest that prions may be spread through urine and persist in the environment for decades.

In the United Kingdom, the government has put in place a National Scrapie Plan, which encourages breeding from sheep that are genetically more resistant to scrapie. It is intended that this will eventually reduce the incidence of the disease in the UK sheep population. Scrapie occurs in Europe and North America, but to date Australia and New Zealand (both major sheep-producing countries) are scrapie-free. World map showing Europe Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiogeographic one. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ...

A test is now available which is performed by sampling a small amount of lymphatic tissue from the third eyelid. Many species of land animals have a nictitating membrane, sometimes (but incorrectly) spelled nicitating membrane, which can move across the eyeball to give the sensitive eye structures additional protection in particular circumstances. ...

Out of fear of scrapie, many European countries banned some traditional sheep or goat products made without removing the spinal cord such as smalahove and smokie. Smalahove (or smalehovud) is a Norwegian traditional dish, usually eaten around and before Christmas time, made from a sheeps head. ... A smokie is a West African delicacy made by blowtorching the carcass of an old sheep or goat without removing its fleece. ...

External links

• Article about scrapie and the aforementioned diagnostic test
• UK government scrapie information
• UK government National Scrapie Plan
• Scrapie research at the Institute for Animal Health (UK)
• Sheep genetics research at the Institute for Animal Health (includes photo of a sheep with scrapie)