Scrapie: Report of an outbreak and brief review

An outbreak of scrapie in western Canada is described. The disease was confirmed in seven sheep, all originating from the same flock; six were Suffolk ewes and one was a Hampshire ewe. The main clinical signs were pruritus with a positive "nibbling reflex", weight loss and seizures precipitated by handling or excitement. At presentation four ewes were between 35 and 38 months of age; two were approximately four years old and the oldest was six years old. No evidence of scrapie was seen in six goats on the original farm. The clinical signs, epizootiology, pathology, and pathogenesis of the disease are reviewed.