Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP) 

Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP) is a slowly progressive viral disease of adult sheep caused by an ovine lentivirus. Most sheep do not show clinical signs of OPP, but the sheep that do typically don’t display signs until 2 years of age or older because of the virus’s long incubation period. Often, the first sign noticed is a general loss of body condition referred to as “thin ewe syndrome.” Weight loss occurs despite the affected sheep having normal appetites. ..Once infected, animals remain infected for life, .

--Veterinary Services Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health December 2003

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Conclusion ​

While very few producers believed their flocks were currently infected with OPP, the serosurvey indicated a relatively high level of infection (36.4 percent of operations). One explanation for this discrepancy may be that most producers (92.4 percent ) do not test for OPP on their operations. In addition, for those that acquire breeding rams or breeding ewes, only 10.0 percent and 5.4 percent of producers acquired all their rams and ewes, respectively, from flocks known to have tested negative for OPP

--Veterinary Services Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health December 2003

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Our History

Bleak Hill Lincoln Longwools is a closed flock.    100%  of the flock tested negative for OPP in 2015,  2016, and 2023 .  Bleak Hill Farm is a member of the OPP Concerned Sheep Breeders Society.