USDA has confirmed a case of classical scrapie in a sheep slaughtered in Oregon, marking the first confirmed U.S. detection of the fatal livestock disease in more than five years and potentially delaying the nation’s effort to achieve international scrapie-free status.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the infected sheep was identified through routine regulatory slaughter surveillance. Officials are working with Oregon animal health authorities to trace the animal’s flock of origin and are conducting tissue-matching and parentage testing on two additional sheep that accompanied it. Scrapie is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting sheep and goats.
According to the American Sheep Industry Association, the infected sheep lacked an official ear tag, which could complicate efforts to trace its origin and prevent further spread. Before the case, the United States was on track to meet a seven-year benchmark established by the World Organisation for Animal Health for self-declared scrapie freedom in January 2028. The new detection could reset that timeline.
USDA officials said they expect little impact on international trade because most countries restrict live-animal imports only from affected flocks, while wool and other products remain unaffected. Producers are being encouraged to maintain animal identification, use genetically resistant breeding stock, and participate in surveillance programs.
Comments