The scrapie program update document summarizes scrapie surveillance data from fiscal year 2013 and provides updates on the scrapie program. Key points include:
- The percentage of culled sheep that tested positive for scrapie at slaughter facilities decreased 90% since 2003 and was 0.0146% in 2013.
- A new platform was implemented for the National Scrapie Database in December 2013, so only limited surveillance data is currently available from fiscal year 2013.
- The scrapie flock certification program was revised in June 2013 to eliminate the complete monitored category and provide farmers with new options for participation.
Dr. Troy Bigelow - APHIS Sheep and Goat Health Center Update
1. Scrapie Program Update
Troy Bigelow, DVM
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Veterinary Services
National Institute for Animal Agriculture
Annual Conference
April 1, 2014
Veterinary Services
2. Program Summary
• As of the end of fiscal year (FY) 2013, the percent of cull
sheep found positive at slaughter and adjusted for face
color was 0.0146 percent. This measure of prevalence
has decreased by 90 percent since slaughter
surveillance started in FY 2003.
• There was an increase in this measure in FY 2013;
however, the change was not statistically meaningful due
to sample size.
2
3. Program Summary
• In December, 2013, the National Scrapie Database was
transferred into a new platform. We are currently
formatting the reports for surveillance data. Therefore,
we can only report certain surveillance data through FY
2013.
• We anticipate the reports will be completed in April,
2014.
3
4. * Adjusted to exclude multiple positive animals from the same flock. Does not include Nor98-
like scrapie cases. The increase in FY 2013 is not statistically meaningful due to sample size.
0.00%
0.02%
0.04%
0.06%
0.08%
0.10%
0.12%
0.14%
0.16%
% Pos '03
% Pos '04
% Pos '05
% Pos '06
% Pos '07
% Pos '08
% Pos '09
% Pos '10
% Pos '11
% Pos '12
% Pos '13
Percent of RSSS Samples that Tested
Positive for Classical Scrapie
Weighted by Face Color
Fiscal Years 2003 to 2013*
4
5. * Adjusted to exclude multiple positive animals from same flock. Mottled- and white-faced
combined. Does not include Nor98-like scrapie cases. The slight increase in FY 2013 is not
statistically meaningful due to sample size.
0.0%
0.1%
0.2%
0.3%
0.4%
0.5%
0.6%
0.7%
0.8%
0.9%
1.0%
M
+W
Black
% Pos '03
% Pos '04
% Pos '05
% Pos '06
% Pos '07
% Pos '08
% Pos '09
% Pos '10
% Pos '11
% Pos '12
% Pos '13
Percent of RSSS Samples that
Tested Positive for Classical Scrapie
by Face Color, Fiscal Year (2003 – 2013)*
5
10. Surveillance Samples Collected at
Slaughter FY 2003-2013
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
FY
'03
FY
'05
FY
'07
FY
'09
FY
'11
FY
'13
Other Sheep*
Goat
White Face
Mottled <1% Black
Mottled >1% Black
Black Face
* Other Sheep: hair sheep, and those with gray, red, brown, or unknown
face color.
10
14. * Through February 28, 2014.
Infected and Source Flocks
New Statuses by Year
Fiscal Years 1997 to 2014*
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Source
Infected
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20. The Complete Monitored category has been eliminated
– Complete category participants who wish to stay in the
program have 2 options
• Join revised Select category
– No inspections
– Submit specified number of animals for scrapie testing
• Join the Export category and grandfather in with up to 5
years time in status
– Must submit all mature found dead animals
– If the flock held “Certified” status in the previous program,
APHIS will continue to publish its “Certified” status on our
website, in addition to its “Export Monitored” status, for 3
years following the start of the revised program or until it
achieves “Export Certified” status, whichever occurs first
Revised SFCP
20
23. SFCP Participating Flocks
by Fiscal Year (FY 1997 to FY 2014*)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Select Monitored
Complete Monitored**
Certified**
Export Monitored
Export Certified
* As of January 31, 2014.
** The Complete Monitored category (including Certified flocks) was
discontinued 06/10/2013. 23
24. Scrapie Flock Certification Program: Participating
Flocks
As of January 31, 2014
Total Enrolled Flocks—439
• Export Monitored—190
• Export Certified—15
• Selective Monitored—234
WY
6
WV
2
WI
20
WA
15
VA
3
UT
4
TX
0
TN-11
SD
6
SC
15
RI-2
PA
44
OR
16
OK
4
OH
4
NY
7
NV
2
NM
3
NJ-11NE
5
ND
1
NC-13
MT
5
MS
12
MO
3
MN
6
MI
9
ME
17
MD-2
MA-7
LA
6
KY-15
KS
6
IN
30
IL
7
ID
10
IA
6
HI
18
GA
16
FL
16
DE-0
CT-11
CO
1CA
8
AZ
1 AR
1
AK
1
AL
10
VT
15
NH-5
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25. FY 2014 Dockets
Proposed rule to revise 9 CFR Parts 54 and 79
• Goal is to publish in FY 2014 – pending OMB review
• Major items
– Gives the Administrator authority to relieve requirements for
sheep and goats exposed to scrapie types, such as Nor98-like,
that do not pose a significant risk of transmission
– Increases flexibility in how investigations can be conducted and
allows the epidemiology in a specific flock to be given more
consideration in determining flock and animal status
– Adds a genetic-based approach to the regulation
– Makes goat ID requirements similar to sheep to facilitate
slaughter surveillance in goats; no changes are planned in the
consistent State requirements regarding identification of goats in
intrastate commerce
25
26. FY 2014 Dockets
Proposed rule to revise 9 CFR Parts 54 and 79
• Major items (continued)
– Requires States to meet surveillance goals to remain consistent
States
– Tightens up the definition of slaughter channels
– Expands individual ID requirement to all sexually intact animals
unless moving as a group lot (allows mixed-source groups
moving in slaughter channels under 18 months)
– Limits use of tattoos and implants to animals not moving through
concentration points for sale and not in slaughter channels
– Establishes recordkeeping requirements similar to current UM&R
compliance guidance
26
27. FY 2014 Dockets
Import Sheep and Goats
APHIS is drafting a proposed rule for the import
of sheep and goats, their embryos, and products,
to mitigate risks from scrapie and BSE, which will
move the U.S. into closer alignment with OIE
guidelines.
27
28. FY 2014 Dockets
Import Sheep and Goats
Current thinking—scrapie mitigations
– Breeding animals—use OIE standards (i.e., free
country or free flock); may allow genetically resistant
sheep and genetically less susceptible rams until US
reaches near 0 prevalence
– Slaughter and feeding for slaughter—use requirements
similar to OIE, including requiring an awareness,
surveillance and control program, and post entry
movement controls to ensure slaughter (similar to the
current requirements for Canadian sheep/goats)
28
29. FY 2014 Dockets
Import Sheep and Goats
Current thinking—scrapie mitigations
– Embryos—similar to OIE standards with additional
donor testing requirements
– Products – no scrapie restrictions
29
30. FY 2014 Dockets
Import Sheep and Goats
Current thinking—BSE mitigations
– Apply prohibitions on processed animal proteins such as
meat-and-bone meal and greaves derived from
ruminants (including that from sheep and goats) from
countries that are undetermined or controlled risk for
BSE, as provided in the BSE comprehensive rule
– Apply same standards to tallow derived from
sheep/goats as is applied to tallow derived from cattle
– Relieve restrictions on other products
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31. NAHMS Sheep Studies
• 3rd national sheep study – 1996, 2001, 2011
• NAHMS studies are developed with the purpose
of providing comprehensive U.S. animal health
information
– related to disease prevention and control, animal
welfare, production, product wholesomeness,
environmental considerations, and economic
consequences
31
33. NAHMS 2011 Sheep Study Summary
• Four Descriptive Reports on US sheep industry
– Part I: Sheep Management Practices
– Part II: Marketing and Death Loss
– Part III: Health and Management Practices
– Part IV: Changes in Health and Production Practices
1996-2011
• Available at - http://www.aphis.usda.gov/nahms
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