According to the latest update from the AHLVA, there are now 251 confirmed cases of Schmallenberg virus in the UK. There have only been two newly confirmed cases since last week.

Of the 251 cases, 33 are in cattle and 218 in sheep. The number of cases in cattle has risen in comparison to cases in sheep, as sheep infected with the virus at the ‘critical’ period during pregnancy will have likely given birth by now. As cattle have a longer gestation period than sheep, the number of cases in cattle is predicted to rise into early summer, according to AHVLA scientists.

Schmallenberg virus causes flu-like symptoms in cattle at the time of infection, but no noticeable symptoms in sheep; the disease can cause stillbirth, congenital abnormalities and spontaneous abortion in animals affected during pregnancy.

All the newly reported cases are still within the zone identified by AHVLA modelling for midge incursion into England last summer and autumn, when all of the infections are thought to have occurred. It is not currently known whether the midge population remains a reservoir for SBV. If it is, there is a risk the disease may spread further within the UK as midges become more active.

Nevertheless, the current decline in numbers of reporting farms is being replicated across member states affected by Schmallenberg. AHVLA said in a report today that “This [scenario] is also in line with Defra’s own predictions considering UK farming practices and estimated time of infection occurring in the UK. We continue to expect to see cases in cattle into early summer.”

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