Schmallenberg virus detected in eastern England

23 January 2012 | By Alistair Driver

THE Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has been confirmed in the UK for the first time.

The new livestock disease, which affects cattle, sheep and goats, has been formally identified on four sheep farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex.

Defra vets believe the virus was carried over to eastern England via midges from northern Europe, where it was first identified last August.

AHVLA obtained samples from animals with clinical signs consistent with SBV infection last week, as part of its enhanced surveillance for the new disease. They were analysed at its Weybridge Virology Laboratory based on information provided by the Netherlands and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute.

An AHVLA spokesman said: “We have identified the Schmallenberg Virus in some of these samples and as we continue surveillance we may find further cases.

“These samples came from the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex. These counties are in the area that we had identified as potentially being at risk from infected midges blown across the Channel from the affected areas and we suspect that this is the most likely cause of transmission.”

It is understood that the four cases in eastern England have been detected on farms that have started lambing. Reports from the Netherlands show that lambs infected with the virus in utero are often born with congenital malformations.

The disease first appeared in cattle in the Netherlands and Germany in August 2011. Clinical signs included fever, reduced milk yield, inappetence, loss of body condition and, principally in Dutch herds, diarrhoea, according to AHVLA. Herds experienced outbreaks of disease lasting 2-3 weeks, with individual affected animals recovering over several days.

Tests carried out on cases in Germany and the Netherlands identified a novel virus that has been named Schmallenberg virus (SBV).

It appears to belong to a group of viruses that are spread by insect vectors, principally midges and mosquitoes, although the precise vector that may be responsible for transmission of SBV has not been identified yet.

More recently, from November, the virus has been associated with reports of miscarriages and stillbirths associated with congenital abnormalities affecting mainly sheep but also cattle and goats, in northern Europe.

Risk assessments carried out by public health authorities in the Netherlands and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have concluded that the risk to human health from SBV is ‘likely to be very low’.

However, at this early stage of knowledge about the new disease, there are still considered to ‘some uncertainties’ and a risk to human has not been entirely discarded.

AHVLA is advising farmers and veterinary surgeons to take ‘sensible hygiene precautions when working with livestock’.

The disease is not notifibiable, which means farmers are not legally compelled to report it. Nonetheless, animal keepers are requested to be vigilant and inform their veterinary surgeons of any such cases. Stillbirths, malformations or nervous disease in newborn animals or foetuses born to imported animals should be sent for screening to the AHVLA.

Farmers are also advised to contact their local AHVLA Regional Laboratory or the SAC Disease Surveillance Centre if they require further guidance or information.

To find out more about Schmallenberg

AHVLA update on situation in UK:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/01/12/schmallenberg-virus

Defra’s International Disease Monitoring (IDM) team update on disease in Europe:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/files/poa-schmallenburg-update-120117.pdf

Report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on implications for human health:

http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/press/news/Lists/News/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=32e43ee8-e230-4424-a783-85742124029a&ID=541&RootFolder=/en/press/news/Lists/News

Readers' comments (9)

Donna Cumia | 23 January 2012 12:56 pm
Passed on by midges blown across the sea? Not by imports?? I know which I think is more probable. Defra do not put your head in the sand with this and act now.
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Peter Dyson | 24 January 2012 2:22 am
Sir, what precautions are DEFRA taking at port of entry, and what advice if any given to the already affected farms, were they imported livestock or bought at a market ??
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The Newt | 24 January 2012 7:22 am
Unfortunately it is entirely possible for insects to travel thousands of miles on air currents. Research shows insects can form clouds that are apparent on radar at tens of thousands of feet high.

Normally it is not the sea that protects us from such swarms being blown to our shores, but the prevailing winds, gulf stream and jet stream and so on. But as we all know, the wind can and does change direction from time to time doesn't it?

However we should also absolutely check all imports of cattle, sheep and goats entering the UK and even close down these imports for now until this disease is controlled by our neighbours - after all it is what they would do if the shoe were on the other foot.
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Anonymous | 24 January 2012 3:20 pm
Newt.

I was going to answer Donna's comment but you beat me to it! It's true midges can be blown over from the continent - it's one of the ways Bluetongue came here in 2007 and why vaccination was targeted at the South East.

One thing though - why should government close down imports? Why can't farmers take responsibility and bring animals in from these areas instead?

chive.
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The Newt | 25 January 2012 9:39 am
Oh I think you are right, most farmers will take responsibility themselves, but there are always some people who in all ignorance perhaps or are more concerned with other problems, may still be importing sheep, cattle or goats from areas that may be infectous.

Perhaps we should prevent this as an industry for the common good? Perhaps the NFU for example might like to ask its members not to take the risk and advise against it - what do you think?

But we shouldn't forget the speed with which both the French and Germans closed down exports of our products through BSE and FMD. All I'm saying is we shouldn't be afraid to return the favour when we feel our interests are endangered by their industries.
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colin davey | 25 January 2012 7:01 pm
Globel warming !! To mild
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Anonymous | 27 January 2012 9:13 am
Newt.

Not a bad suggestion but I do wonder how much sway the NFU actually have over the common farmer on the ground?

Any ban (voluntary or otherwise) seems a bit like closing the door after the horse has bolted as it's likely disease is already in this country now anyway.

chive.
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Bridget pearson | 27 January 2012 3:49 pm
What are the implications for selling pedigree breeding sheep especially females born in an infected flock this year?
Are lambs born this spring likely to be carriers? Especially those that have been born weak but have been nurtured and kept alive.
I do not start lambing until late spring but as I am in an infected area will this affect the sale of breeding stock from this area?
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Anonymous | 30 January 2012 9:39 am
Bridget.

I suspect that any infected lambs are likely to be stillborn or die soon after birth. As the disease is not notifiable there are no trade restrictions so there should be no implications for you when it comes to selling your animals.

Chive.
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