Which prion disease is primarily associated with sheep and goats?

The correct answer is Scrapie, which is a neurodegenerative prion disease primarily affecting sheep and goats. Scrapie is characterized by progressive neurological symptoms, such as changes in behavior, lack of coordination, and excessive scratching due to itching. The disease can lead to severe neurological impairment and eventually death of the affected animal.

Scrapie is significant in the context of animal health and farming because it represents the classic example of a prion disease in livestock, which raises concerns about the transmission of prion diseases within agricultural settings. The name "scrapie" is derived from the behavior of affected animals, which scrape off their fleece against fences or trees due to intense itching.

Other diseases listed, such as Kuru, Mad Cow Disease, and CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease), have different animal or human associations. Kuru is primarily associated with humans and linked to cannibalistic practices among certain tribes in Papua New Guinea. Mad Cow Disease, or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, affects cattle and has implications for human health primarily through the consumption of infected beef. CJD is a rare degenerative brain disease affecting humans and is not associated with sheep or goats.

Understanding prion diseases and their specific hosts is essential for