Sheep Scab

If you suspect signs of a notifiable disease, you must immediately notify your local Animal Health office.

Please note: Sheep scab is a notifiable disease only in Scotland.

 

THE RISK TO YOUR ANIMALS

Sheep scab is a skin disease of sheep caused by a mite called Psoroptes ovis. It is present in several sheep producing countries, including the UK. It causes severe itching in affected sheep if left untreated. Scaly lesions develop on the woolly parts of the body and sheep often bite themselves and rub against objects to relieve the irritation causing loss of wool. Untreated sheep may lose weight.

HOW TO RECOGNISE THE DISEASE

Clinical signs are:

• Mild to excessive rubbing/scratching against fence posts etc
• Mild to excessive nibbling and biting
• Dirty areas of fleece due to rubbing and scratching - especially with the hindfeet behind the shoulder.
• "Nibble" (touch hypersensitivity) response, spontaneous or in response to handling or manipulation of a lesion
• Tags of fleece on flanks due to biting or rubbing (similar to lice infestations)
• Clean areas of fleece due to licking/biting at or near lesions*
• Standing apart from flock, dull and depressed*

*Only when in combination with other symptoms described

REDUCING THE RISK OF DISEASE

• The Sheep Scab (Scotland) Order 2010 places a legal obligation on any person who has reason to believe that sheep in their possession or care have sheep scab to notify their local Animal Health office as soon as possible. Measures will also enable enforcement action to be taken against those owners and keepers whose sheep are suspected of having scab, but who fail to take the necessary action to treat, undermining the efforts of the majority to prevent the spread of the disease.
• Reports of sheep scab, should be referred to your Local Authority who are responsible for the execution and enforcement of the Sheep Scab Order 1997.

Legislation

For full details of legislation that apply to this disease please visit the following pages.

• The Sheep Scab (Scotland) Order 2010. The 2010 Order includes Sheep scab as a notifiable disease under the Animal Health Act 1981, and any suspicion of the disease must be notified to your local Animal Health office
• The Sheep Scab Order 1997, made under the Animal Health Act 1981, gives Local Authorities the means to improve the control of sheep scab when owners of affected sheep do not take appropriate measures voluntarily. The provisions of the Order therefore only apply to sheep which are visibly affected with sheep scab.

Further information:

• Scottish Government
• Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS)