April 27, 2012: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of scrapie in a quarantined sheep flock in Eastern Ontario. The disease was confirmed in a sheep that recently died on the farm.
Scrapie is a fatal disease that affects sheep and goats. While there is no human health risk associated with scrapie, it has serious impacts on sheep and the CFIA aims to eradicate it from Canada. Canada’s approach to confirmed or suspected cases of scrapie is based on internationally accepted science and seeks to minimize disruptions to producers.
The farm was placed under quarantine because a sheep that originated from the farm had previously tested positive for scrapie. In early April, 31 sheep were removed from the farm in violation of the quarantine order. The Ontario Provincial Police is leading the investigation into the missing sheep.
The missing sheep pose a serious risk for scrapie and could spread the disease to other sheep and goats. Any premises that receive them will be subject to a quarantine and further regulatory action.
Quarantine breaches put the livestock industry and the economy at risk. Any person who breaches a quarantine may be subject to criminal prosecution under the Health of Animals Act.
For more information on scrapie
- call 1-800-442-2342
- visit www.inspection.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter for the latest on animal health: www.twitter.com/CFIA_Animals.
Media enquiries:
CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600
613-773-6600
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