Defra's latest update on the Schmallenberg virus has confirmed that the disease has now been identified on 11 UK farms.
The virus causes deformation in the neck, head and limbs of cattle, sheep and goats and was named after a German town where it was first found last year.
The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency has reported 11 UK premises with SBV positive lambs, in Suffolk, Norfolk, Kent and East Sussex. All these counties are within the ‘at risk’ zones identified as being in the pathway of wind-borne infected midges during the summer.
Defra says this ‘adds credence’ to the possibility of midges being the vector responsible for disease transmission rather than mosquitoes or ticks.
Elsewhere, Belgium has reported finding virus-positive lambs with congenital deformities on 61 sheep farms in several regions, and also a six-month calf foetus where the herd had reported milk drop during the summer and three cattle subsequently tested positive for the virus.
In the Netherlands, there have now been nearly 350 farms reporting deformed lambs, calves or kid goats. Of these, 81 of the 144 sheep farms, four of the 17 goat farms and two of the 188 cattle farms have proven positive for the virus in offspring.
In Germany, there are now six regions with affected premises: North Rhine Westphalia, Hessen, Lower Saxony, Rhineland Palatinate, Baden Wurttemberg and Schleswig Holstein. More than 100 cases have been confirmed across eight cattle farms, 132 sheep farms and seven goat farms. One of the cattle (in Rhineland Palatinate) was a bison.
In France, ‘high risk zones’ remain in place (Alsace, Lorraine, Nor Pas de Calais, Picardie, Champagne Ardennes) and there have been 13 reports of virus identified in deformed lambs on premises in the provinces of Haute Marne, Meurthe et Moselle, Moselle, Pas de Calais, Seine Maritime and Somme.
The increase in cases in Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and the UK is still considered to be the result of infection in the summer months of 2011, most likely through midge transmission.
The Working Party of EU Chief Veterinary Officers has issued a summary note supporting the current opinion that SBV is unlikely to cause illness in humans and that there are no grounds to justify trade restrictions.
Further cases are expected a lambing season progresses and as calving starts and farmers are urged to report signs of congenital deformities in newborns. Defra has agreed with the World Organisation for Animal Health that its disease reporting requirements will not accurately depict the farm location.
What should I look for?
- An NFU briefing has been prepared with further information and details (click here).
- Read Defra/AHVLA information on the virus here.
- See also: Schmallenberg virus found in UK 23 Jan 2012 - It’s been confirmed that Schmallenberg virus has been found in the UK for the first time.
- Kevin Hawes - 03/02/2012
Where are the current cases? As a farmer in East sussex I'm keen to find out how close they are getting.
- julie plumley - 02/02/2012
I am sure because it started in Europe a vaccination will be found very quickly unlike the TB problem. Could we stop live imports from Europe
- M.Tyrrel - 01/02/2012
25% has been quoted, is that nos of ewes or lambs?