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<BR>Home,Anses,News,Press room,Agenda,Our topics,Food,Animal health and nutrition,Environmental health,Occupational health,Plants,Opinions and publications,Last opinions and reports,Food opinions and reports,Animal health and nutrition opinions and reports,Environmental and occupational health opinions and reports,Plants opinions,Opinions and reports in English,Bulletins and periodicals,Other publications,Subscribe to Anses newsletter,Research and reference,Research program,Laboratories and reference activities, + ,Job opportunities,Public procurement contracts,Our websites,Partners,Extranet / ExpertNet,Kid's area,Legal notice,Contact, ,<BR>Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are neurodegenerative diseases affecting both humans and animals. Small ruminant animals (sheep and goats) can be infected by classical and atypical scrapie, and rarely by BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy). As a precautionary measure, to protect consumers and animals by limiting the risk of exposure to the pathogen, steps to eradicate TSEs in small ruminant animals have been taken since 1996 by the health authorities, in addition to BSE prevention measures in cattle.<BR> <BR>Until now, no scientific study had proven the presence of infectivity in the milk of small ruminant animals affected with a TSE. Published in April 2008, the British study by Konold et al. (1), on scrapie transmission to genetically susceptible lambs fed with the milk of infected ewes. These findings have been confirmed and supplemented by a French study (Lacroux et al.) (2), submitted for publication. <BR><BR>Based on these findings and with a view to reducing the exposure risks for humans and animals, Afssa has drawn up recommendations in addition to those already in place, particularly on the management of carcasses of susceptible genotypes in infected holdings.<BR><BR>Afssa's recommendations and conclusions<BR> <BR>On the animal health risk<BR>The scientific data available does not change the recommendations on atypical scrapie. For classical scrapie and BSE however, the recommendations seek to avoid any recirculation between small ruminant animal holdings. It is thus recommended that milk and colostrum be used within the same holding. Moreover, the marketing of milk and colostrum for ruminant animal feed shall be suspended. In infected holdings, this measure shall be extended to monogastric animals and maintained until all of the animals of susceptible genotype in the holding have been slaughtered.<BR><BR>On the human exposure risk, Afssa distinguishes two cases<BR>- For goat or sheep flocks in which infection is not suspected, Afssa does not recommend any restrictions as to the use or marketing of milk or colostrum, or their processed products.<BR>- For goat or sheep flocks in which infection is suspected or infected by classical scrapie, Afssa recommends banning the marketing of milk and/or dairy products from the flock for human consumption, until all of the animals of susceptible genotype in the holding have been slaughtered.<BR> <BR>Putting into a European perspective<BR><BR>The conclusions of Afssa's and EFSA's opinions are in accordance and show the possible transmission of the classical scrapie of small ruminant agent through the milk.<BR><BR> <BR>(1) Konold T, Moore SJ, Bellworthy SJ, Simmons HA. Evidence of scrapie transmission via milk, BMC Vet. Res., 2008, 4:14<BR>(2) PLoS Pathogen, to appear shortly<BR><BR><BR>To get out more<BR><BR>> Opinion of 8 octobre 2008 : Opinion of the French Food Safety Agency on the possible animal and public health consequences of new available scientific findings on the intra-species transmission of the classical scrapie agent by milk<BR><BR>> European Food Safety Authority website<BR><BR>Assessment of the risk of classical scrapie agent spreading via the milk of small ruminant animals<BR>6 November 2008<BR>News<BR>Highlighted news,Archives,-,Archives of AFSSET news,Archives of AFSSA news,<A HREF='PM9100B3I0.htm'>Go to News</A>
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Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are neurodegenerative diseases affecting both humans and animals. Small ruminant animals (sheep and goats) can be infected by classical and atypical scrapie, and rarely by BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy). As a precautionary measure, to protect consumers and animals by limiting the risk of exposure to the pathogen, steps to eradicate TSEs in small ruminant animals have been taken since 1996 by the health authorities, in addition to BSE prevention measures in cattle.
Until now, no scientific study had proven the presence of infectivity in the milk of small ruminant animals affected with a TSE. Published in April 2008, the British study by Konold et al. (1), on scrapie transmission to genetically susceptible lambs fed with the milk of infected ewes. These findings have been confirmed and supplemented by a French study (Lacroux et al.) (2), submitted for publication.
Based on these findings and with a view to reducing the exposure risks for humans and animals, Afssa has drawn up recommendations in addition to those already in place, particularly on the management of carcasses of susceptible genotypes in infected holdings.
Afssa's recommendations and conclusions On the animal health risk The scientific data available does not change the recommendations on atypical scrapie. For classical scrapie and BSE however, the recommendations seek to avoid any recirculation between small ruminant animal holdings. It is thus recommended that milk and colostrum be used within the same holding. Moreover, the marketing of milk and colostrum for ruminant animal feed shall be suspended. In infected holdings, this measure shall be extended to monogastric animals and maintained until all of the animals of susceptible genotype in the holding have been slaughtered.
On the human exposure risk, Afssa distinguishes two cases - For goat or sheep flocks in which infection is not suspected, Afssa does not recommend any restrictions as to the use or marketing of milk or colostrum, or their processed products. - For goat or sheep flocks in which infection is suspected or infected by classical scrapie, Afssa recommends banning the marketing of milk and/or dairy products from the flock for human consumption, until all of the animals of susceptible genotype in the holding have been slaughtered.
Putting into a European perspective
The conclusions of Afssa's and EFSA's opinions are in accordance and show the possible transmission of the classical scrapie of small ruminant agent through the milk.
(1) Konold T, Moore SJ, Bellworthy SJ, Simmons HA. Evidence of scrapie transmission via milk, BMC Vet. Res., 2008, 4:14 (2) PLoS Pathogen, to appear shortly
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