Schmallenberg virus has been discovered in cattle at the Barony campus of Scotland's Rural College. The discovery marks the first case of SBV in a Scottish herd.

image expired

The novel livestock Virus, which was first discovered in late 2011 in Germany, and has since spread throughout most of Western and Northern Europe, is transmitted by biting insects. Although it causes flu-like symptoms in some animals, infection is difficult to detect in sheep. SBV can cause foetal abnormalities and still birth if animals are infected during early pregnancy.

The Scottish government announced on Wednesday (27 March) that there is evidence the disease has been circulating in Scotland since 2012. Although animals with SBV have previously been detected in Scotland, up until now all confirmed cases have been in animals brought into the country from other infected areas of the UK.

Eight cows in an SRC dairy herd in Dumfries and Galloway tested positive for SBV antibodies, indicating exposure to the virus in 2012. No deformed calves have yet been born to the 160-strong herd on the farm.

Commenting on the development, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said, "Since Schmallenberg was first detected in the south of England we have watched it spread slowly northwards. Confirmation of its arrival in Scotland is, therefore, no surprise but is nonetheless disappointing and undoubtedly a headache which farmers could do without at the moment.

He added, "Following that confirmation, farmers should continue to exercise vigilance, particularly when moving animals onto their farm and should consider testing breeding stock for the SBV antibody."

Although SBV remains non-notifiable, Brian Hosie, Manager of SAC Consulting Veterinary Services, urged farmers encountering foetal abnormalities, stillbirths or other concerning phenomenon to contact their vet, or local SAC Consulting centre.

The latest Schmallenberg statistics released by AHVLA in January revealed a 20 percent increase in incidences across the UK, with cases in Wales and Northern Ireland, and as far North as the England-Scotland border. AHVLA said there had been 1,531 confirmed cases of SBV in the UK since January 2012, when the disease was first detected in Southern England.