A survey of British sheep farmers: Practices, opinions and knowledge surrounding the management of sheep scab

Behavioural Factors Influencing the Intention to Adopt Sheep Scab Control Measures in Northern Ireland

“…The results showed that there is still a low level of awareness regarding the subclinical phase of sheep scab. Studies have shown that traditional methods of sheep scab diagnosis have low sensitivities and are often unable to determine subclinical infestations [ 1 , 10 , 12 ]. The coordinated use of reliable diagnostic tests such as sheep scab blood tests is therefore needed to identify subclinical infestations and facilitate the targeted and coordinated control of the disease.…”

“…The coordinated use of reliable diagnostic tests such as sheep scab blood tests is therefore needed to identify subclinical infestations and facilitate the targeted and coordinated control of the disease. The level of sensitivity and specificity of the blood tests are high, at 98% and 97%, respectively, and crucially, blood testing is able to detect sheep scab at the flock level from as early as two weeks post-infestation and before the appearance of clinical signs [ 10 , 12 ]. The blood tests are commercially available and have the potential to contribute immensely to the control of sheep scab through specific, rapid, and accurate diagnoses of the disease [ 1 ].…”

“…The implication of this is that sheep scab may not be confirmed until there is a very high level of clinical disease, which carries the associated risk of the disease spreading to other groups of sheep or neighbouring flocks [ 2 ]. Additionally, the clinical signs of sheep scab bear a common resemblance to that of a louse infestation, as both diseases result in intense pruritus, scratching, and wool loss, but they do not always require the same treatment method [ 2 , 9 , 10 ]. Therefore, relying on the presence of clinical signs or the identification of active skin lesions constitutes a potential hindrance to the effective control of sheep scab [ 1 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Additionally, the clinical signs of sheep scab bear a common resemblance to that of a louse infestation, as both diseases result in intense pruritus, scratching, and wool loss, but they do not always require the same treatment method [ 2 , 9 , 10 ]. Therefore, relying on the presence of clinical signs or the identification of active skin lesions constitutes a potential hindrance to the effective control of sheep scab [ 1 , 10 , 11 ].…”