Transmissible spongiform subacute encephalopathies (TSSE) occurring under natural conditions include mainly scrapie in sheep and goat, chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Cervidae, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The precautionary measures taken against BSE are now bearing fruit, as case numbers decrease every year, particularly in France. Moreover, numerous studies have shown the interest of clinical examination of cattle to detect BSE in the field. In other ruminants, chronic wasting disease (CWD) remains a matter of concern in North America, while new problems have appeared related to scrapie in small ruminants: a BSE-like strain has been discovered in a case of goat scrapie in France. Genetic selection to fight sheep scrapie is being questioned, such as the emergence of atypical cases in resistant animals, especially the Nor98 strain of scrapie. These data demonstrate the interest of active monitoring of scrapie of small ruminants in Europe.