Advisers between a rock and a hard place: The possibility that bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) may have spread to sheep is causing concern to scientific advisory committees in Europe
Article Abstract:
Experts believe there is a risk that bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) may have spread to sheep in the form of scrapie, although there is no conclusive evidence of this. Experiments have shown that a sheep injected with infected cattle brain succumbed to the disease, with the agent adopting a scrapie pattern of infection. However experiments testing whether sheep can contract BSE from contaminated feed have not been undertaken. The UK and France have banned sheep heads, spleen and spinal cords from the human and animal food chain, and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee recommends that extensive and urgent research is required.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Is scrapie solely a genetic disease?
Article Abstract:
The most common transmissible encephalopathy called scrapie has been associated with polymorphisms of PrP gene found in goats and sheep, however, it is not considered a genetic disease. Australian and New Zealand authorities were implementing measures to protect sheep from acquiring scrapie. The development of scrapie must need another exogenous factor aside from the PrP genotypes to have the disease.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Scrapie in Britain during the BSE years
Article Abstract:
Issues are presented concerning the possible infection of sheep in Great Britain through the ingestion of feed contaminated with BSE. The similarity of the symptoms of BSE with that of scrapie is discussed.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
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