The latest update from the AHVLA shows the number of cases of Schmallenberg virus confirmed on UK farms has risen to 145. Nine of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 136 in sheep.

Although there have been cases in goats and bison in continental Europe, so far only sheep and cattle have been affected in the UK. It is thought that, as lambing wanes and calving begins, the number of cases in cattle will rise. This hypothesis appears to be supported by updated figures from Germany and the Netherlands.

All infections are thought to have taken place during the autumn as a result of midges being blown across the channel from affected countries in Northern Europe where the disease originated.

SBV infections were confirmed in two new counties: Leicestershire and Lincolnshire each saw one infection in sheep herds. Although the two counties had been identified as ‘at risk’ they were in the ‘low risk’ category, the second lowest degree of risk identified by AHVLA modelling.

So far, none of the affected farms have reported importing animals during 2011 from the affected areas in mainland Europe, supporting theories by veterinary scientists that the disease is not transmissible directly from animal to animal.

The diseases causes flu-like symptoms in cattle and no visible symptoms in sheep at the time of infection, however, it can lead to stillbirths and congenital abnormalities in foetuses if pregnant animals are infected.

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