The AHVLA today announced that the number of confirmed cases of Schmallenberg virus in the UK has risen to 121. Eight of the positive cases are on cattle farms, the remaining 113 have been identified in sheep.

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The virus has flu-like symptoms in cattle, though none are apparent in sheep. It can affect ruminants, including cattle, sheep, bison and goats, and can lead to still birth or congenital abnormalities in foetuses if pregnant animals are infected.

All of the infections to date have been reported within the ‘at risk zone’ identified by the AHVLA.AHVLA scientists also said that the data supports their hypothesis that all reported cases are the result of infection in Autumn 2011 and that SBV does not appear to be transmissible from one animal to another, as none of the affected farms have reported importing animals during 2011 from other affected areas in mainland Europe.

Last week, a number of influential veterinary scientists and epidemiologists from European institutions currently investigating Schmallenberg Virus told a conference in London that, although several members of the group of viruses to which SBV belongs can affect humans, the ability to do so is thought to be due to a gene sequence which is not present in the Schmallenberg virus, meaning it is unlikely the virus can be transmitted to humans from ruminants.

The scientists’ opinions different on the course Schmallenberg might take over the next year; whilst some believe the virus could “fizzle out”, as animals become immune after being infected, others think it may spread to the whole of the UK as midge populations increase.

On the continent, the number of confirmed cases continues to rise. German authorities revealed yesterday that 820 farms in the country have been affected by the virus. The virus is also taking its toll on farms in France (277 confirmed cases), Belgium (165) and The Netherlands (118).

Whilst reports so far show more infections in sheep than cattle, figures from Germany, where the virus was first identified, suggest that numbers of infected cattle will increase as calving begins. As cattle have a longer gestation period than sheep, the extent of the infection will only become apparent as more animals give birth. 

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