Sheep Health Study Underway

January 25, 2001 The U.S. sheep industry needs information on the occurrence of Johne's disease, ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP), intestinal parasites, and scrapie, and on management practices impacting these particular health problems.

Last winter, the USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) conducted surveys and held focus group meetings to identify the industry's information priorities for their upcoming Sheep 2001 study. Priorities identified for the upcoming NAHMS Sheep 2001 study pointed to Johne's disease and OPP as topics for which the industry sees a need for information.   NAHMS conducted a study in 1996 to provide a baseline description of sheep health and management in the U.S.  The Sheep 2001 study will build on the results of that study and concentrate on the industry's current priorities.

NAHMS will begin fulfilling this need in January 2001 by collecting data on management practices from approximately 3,000 flocks from 22 states.  Sheep in these states statistically represent 70% of the U.S. sheep population. About 200 Texas sheep producers are expected to particpate in this study.

Beginning in February, state and federal veterinarians will collect blood samples from up to 40 sheep per flock for antibodies indicating the sheep have been exposed to M. paratuberculosis. The test results will help NAHMS provide an estimate of the extent of exposure to Johne's in the U.S. sheep population. By comparing the test results to the management data, NAHMS can provide national estimates of management practices which may indicate a greater risk for Johne's disease.  This information will provide baseline information for producer groups and researchers and may help measure the effects of Johne's disease on the industry.

NAHMS will also offer participating producers the opportunity to have up to 40 sheep tested for ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) and for evidence of intestinal parasites, two more information priorities identified by the needs assessment.  Results will be compared with the data on management practices to produce information for producers and researchers on these health issues.

Sheep 2001 participants will also be offered the opportunity to have a forage sample tested for energy, protein, and trace minerals.  Results of these forage tests will help NAHMS measure the nutritional value of forage being fed to U.S. sheep.

"Most test results for individual flocks may be returned to the owners as one benefit of participating in the study," says Dr. Walter Riggs, NAHMS Coordinator for Texas.  "Sheep 2001 study results will be released as national, and where appropriate, regional summaries".  " We hope sheep producers will see themselves as partners in this effort."

NAHMS has used similar methods in dairy and beef cattle to estimate the exposure to Johne's disease and address other health issues in several animal populations.  For more information, see NAHMS' web site at: www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cahm or contact:

Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health
USDA:APHIS:VS, attn. NAHMS
555 South Howes; Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 490-8000; NAHMSweb@usda.gov