There are reports that Russian authorities have detected Schmallenberg Virus in cattle imported into the country from Austria. Russian surveillance agency Rosselkhoznadzor is said to have detected the novel virus, which was first discovered last year in Germany, in cattle in the southern Krasnoyarsk region.

The virus was discovered for the first time in Austria in September. Austrian Food Safety authority AGES announced on 25th September that it had detected a positive case in serological testing.

Schmallenberg affects cattle, sheep and goats. The disease causes flu-like symptoms in infected animals, tough it can lead to serious complications if animals are infected during the early stages of pregnancy.

Earlier this year, Russian authorities banned imports of livestock from European states known to be infected with Schmallenberg. The decision was condemned by national governments and the EU Commission, particularly as Russia’s import ban included pigs, which are not known to be susceptible to Schmallenberg Virus.  

Nevertheless, Rosselkhoznadzor said it was "seriously concerned by the absence of measures to limit animal movements from affected regions."

Tweet