Archived News

24th January 2011

Great Britain was officially declared to be free from Bluetongue in July 2011 after a concerted effort by livestock farmers to vaccinate against BTV8 which was spreading across parts of Europe.  BTV8 is carried by midges which may have been wind borne from Continental Europe, it can affect sheep, cattle, deer and camelids. 

And now, the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), has just confirmed that Schmallenberg virus has been found in the UK for the first time.  Again this virus affects ruminants and is thought to be spread by midges.

Cattle, sheep and goats have been affected in northern Europe and infection identified in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Cattle become unwell, losing appetite, productivity and condition.  Infected pregnant cattle and sheep pass the virus to their offspring resulting in deformity, stillbirths and infant mortality.

It’s not yet known whether pregnant animals imported to the UK could have been carrying the disease, or whether midges wind borne from the Continent could have infected livestock on four farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex.  It is thought that these cases are the result of infection during summer and autumn 2011 and it’s unlikely to be spreading in the current climate.

This is a relatively new virus and scientists are working closely with colleagues in Germany in the Netherlands to learn all they can.  There isn't a vaccine currently available. 

With early lambing underway and the main lambing season just weeks away, farmers are reminded to be vigilant and report any signs and deformities to their vet and AHVLA. Surveillance and feed-back of information will be critical in understanding this new vector borne invasion.

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