It’s been confirmed that Schmallenberg virus has been found in the UK for the first time.
The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency has identified cases on four premises in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex. All the lambs testing positive for the virus were stillborn or died shortly after birth.
The AHVLA says that these cases are likely to be a result of infection in summer/autumn last year. This disease is likely to have been transmitted by insects such as midges, and once the virus is in the insect population, culling animals would be an ineffective means of stopping disease spread.
It’s not yet known how the virus reached the UK.
However, the areas where the virus has been identified so far are in the parts of the UK which were at risk of wind borne incursion of infected midges from Continental Europe.
The UK also imported pregnant animals from the affected countries in Europe during last year and these could have been carrying disease.
To assist early detection, the AHVLA has issued the following request: “We want to fully investigate certain types of limb and brain defects, in new-born ruminants and foetuses. Specifically, contractures that are present at birth that result in reduced mobility of several limb joints. In severe cases, limbs and the spine also may be twisted. The brain damage caused by this virus is severe and results in blindness and lack of brain function such that calves and lambs appear like ‘dummies’.
“We would be very grateful if farmers inform their veterinary surgeon of such cases. In addition, we would wish to screen for surveillance any stillbirth, malformation or nervous disease in new born animals or foetuses born to ruminant dams that were imported from mainland Europe in 2011.”
Find out more about Schmallenberg virus here.
NFU chief livestock adviser Peter Garbutt said: “I would urge farmers to remain extra vigilant for signs of this disease and take all sensible precautions to prevent infection. It will also help if any unusual symptoms, or abortions, are reported to the local vet or animal health office. If farmers are considering importing ruminants from the affected parts of continental Europe, the NFU would strongly recommend that they discuss their plans with their vet first to reduce the risk of buying in the virus.
“This is still a relatively new virus and there is still much that we don’t know about it. AHVLA and the UK scientific community are working closely with colleagues in Germany and The Netherlands to learn as much as quickly as possible."
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