AHVLA has reported an increase in confirmed cases of Schmallenberg virus, a new livestock virus which is causing perturbation and misery in Northern Europe. In its latest update on the disease AHVLA said the number of reported cases in the UK had increased to 83. Of these, 78 are on sheep farms and 5 have been reported in cattle.

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In the UK, the latest affected areas are the Isle of Wight, Wiltshire, West Berkshire and South Gloucestershire. There have also been confirmed cases in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, East and West Sussex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire and Cornwall. Counties in the South East have been worst affected.

Although little is currently known about the disease, veterinary scientists in Europe are working together to monitor its progression, as it could have grave consequences for European livestock farming. So far in the UK, none of the affected farms have reported importing animals during 2011 from the affected areas in mainland Europe, which has strengthened the current leading hypothesis that the disease is transmitted via biting insects rather than from contact between animals.

As the disease is believed to be spread via biting insects – it belongs to a group of viruses spread by midges, mosquitoes and tics – it is believed that no new infections have occurred since late 2011, but that more cases will come to light as the lambing season progresses. It is not yet known whether the disease can pass from one animal to another, or whether infected lambs, claves and goat kids could pass the disease on, however, mothers infected with the disease appear to develop immunity to it.

Panic over the spread of SBV has led to a group of Scottish farming organisations to counsel farmers in the country not to import animals from infected regions. NFU Scotland, the National Beef Association, and Quality Meat Scotland amongst others issued a statement last week in which they said, “The group appeals to all keepers to exercise extreme caution when considering importing animals from the risk areas. Currently risk areas already extend into Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Luxembourg. In the UK cases have now been recorded in 11 counties in the South of England. This situation is evolving rapidly and those risk areas are likely to be growing all the time.”

Schmallenberg facts:

• Discovered last year in Germany, which remains the worst affected country, has since spread to the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, UK
• Belongs to a group of viruses known to spread through biting insects
• Currently thought not to be transmissible to humans
• Currently seen to affect cattle, sheep, bison, goats in Europe
• No vaccine yet available to tackle disease. Although SBV is non-notifiable, AHVLA recommends farmers report abnormalities to enable European authorities to build up a picture and increase understanding
• Losses of up to 20% in flocks where pregnant animals were infected have been reported in the UK (50% reported in continental Europe)
• Most insurance does not currently cover animals lost to the disease.

A Farming Online factsheet will soon be available giving the latest available information on Schmallenberg virus.

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