2. Schmallenberg Virus is a new emerging
livestock disease that has been detected in
Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the
UK.
It is similar to some other animal disease
pathogens, such as Akabane and Shamonda
viruses, which are transmitted by vectors, such
as midges, mosquitoes and ticks.
The virus has been associated with brief
mild/moderate disease (milk
drop, pyrexia, diarrhoea) in adult cattle and
late abortion or birth defects in newborn
cattle, sheep and goats.
6. Between August and October 2011, outbreaks of
disease in adult cattle that included mild to
moderate fever, reduced milk yield, loss of
appetite, loss of body condition and diarrhoea were
reported in both the Netherlands and Germany.
Testing for common causes proved negative.
From November 2011, abortion and stillbirths
associated with foetal abnormalities, affecting
mainly sheep but also cattle and goats, were
identified in the Netherlands, Germany and
Belgium.
A new virus was identified in December 2011 as the
cause of both conditions. This was named
„Schmallenberg virus‟ after the German town where
the virus was first identified.
7. “The Animal Health and
Veterinary Laboratories
Agency, which detected the
disease in the UK farms, said it
was continuing to monitor it.”
8. Species per Country: Positive or Negative
◦ Netherlands
Cattle 8/275
Sheep 95/73
Goat 5/15
◦ Germany
Cattle 36
Sheep 601
Goat 31
9. “It can lead to late abortions and
birth deformities in newborn
sheep, goats and cattle and is
thought to be spread by
midges.”
10. “In adult cows, cases of acute infection have
resulted in diarrhoea, fever, a reduction in milk
yield, with a full and rapid recovery over several
days. Affected herds had outbreaks of disease
lasting two to three weeks.
In newborn animals and fetuses, the disease
has been presented as malformations including
bent limbs and fixed joints, brain deformities and
marked damage to the spinal cord. Some animals
are born with a normal outer appearance but have
nervous signs such as a „dummy‟ presentation or
blindness, ataxia, recumbency, an inability to suck
and sometimes fits. The foetal deformities vary
depending on when infection occurred during
pregnancy.”
11.
12. National Farmers' Union chief livestock
adviser Peter Garbutt said: "I would urge
farmers to remain extra vigilant for signs of
this disease and take all sensible
precautions to prevent infection."
The Department for Food, Environment and
Rural Affairs and the National Farmers
Union are urging farmers and vets to report
any suspicious cases.
13.
14. “There is unlikely to be a risk to human health
from Schmallenberg virus; but this is not yet certain.
Farmers and veterinary surgeons are advised
to take sensible hygiene precautions when working
with livestock and abortion material. Although
several members of the group of related viruses can
affect humans, the ability to do so is thought to be
due to a gene sequence which is not present in
Schmallenberg virus.
Pregnant women should not have contact with
sheep and goats at lambing/kidding time due to
risks of exposure to other disease causing
organisms.”
15. Can lead to late abortions and birth deformities
in newborn sheep, goats and cattle
Reduced milk yield and diarrhea for adult cows
First emerged in the Netherlands and Germany in
2011
Virus named after the German town where it was
first seen
Different organizations advises farms to report
any suspicious cases and to take precautions to
prevent infections.
Unlikely risk to harm human; but advised to take
hygienic precautions
