Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe - 2011/2012

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

Via ProMED more details from Finland:

Finland 1st serologically positive case (Aland islands)

Date: Wed 17 Oct 2012

From: Rikula Ulla [edited]

Serological testing of 583 sera from suckler cow herds in southwestern Finland and Aland has detected 2 animals with antibodies against Schmallenberg virus (SBV).

The 2 animals are from the same herd, located in Aland (an island in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland). Samples were taken at the end of September 2012 in routine surveillance at the slaughter house. The herd contains no imported cattle. No signs have been reported.

Finland will test all samples from slaughtered animals originating from suckler cow herds located on the southwestern coast of Finland and Aland for SBV antibodies. The serological surveillance is ongoing and more information on the seroprevalence of SBV in the country will be expected.

--

Ulla Rikula
Senior Researcher
Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira
Veterinary Virology

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

From Scotland

FRIDAY 26 OCTOBER 2012 Schmallenberg - update

Alison Mann

FOLLOWING THE announcement Schmallenberg has been found in Scotland, further animals have tested positive for Schmallenberg antibodies meaning they have been previously exposed to the disease.

Although no acute cases have been found in Scotland, SAC Consulting Veterinary Services report that some animals on three farms have tested positive for Schmallenberg antibodies following testing after moving into Scotland from areas of England and Wales. This suggests these animals have been previously exposed to the disease.

This has led farmers in Scotland to be reminded to maintain good biosecurity, source stock sensibly and seek veterinary advice if they have concerns about the health of their stock.

Read more: The Scottish Farmer

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

machinetranslation

News , 10/26/2012

Schmallenberg virus detected in biting midges in Norway


Schmallenberg virus has now been detected for the first time in Norway. The virus was detected in biting midges and is not found in herds of cattle. Fisheries and Veterinary Research now implementing measures to assess the risks of infection.

To get a better overview of infection status in Norwegian livestock, the Veterinary Research examining bulk milk for antibodies to the virus. There will be samples from all dairy farmers in coastal areas from Rogaland to the Swedish border. If the existence of positive bulk milk samples, the Veterinary Institute and the FSA study animals in the herd milk derived. There will be further investigation into the surrounding farms to see if the infection has spread.

The disease was first discovered in Germany in 2011 and quickly spread to several European countries. Much of cattle and sheep population in some countries were infected. Schmallenberg virus is also detected in cattle in Sweden and Denmark.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

From Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira

Antibodies of Schmallenberg virus detected in mainland Finland

29.10.2012

Antibodies of the Schmallenberg virus have been detected in several cattle herds in South-West and South Finland. Based on the results of analyses completed on 29 October 2012, the virus has spread to South Finland during the summer and early autumn of 2012. The disease is not transmitted to humans and will not give rise to measures by the authorities, and any treatment can be agreed on with the local veterinarian.

The first antibodies of the Schmallenberg virus were detected in Finland in late September 2012 in samples taken from healthy cattle in the Åland Islands. Evira has continued to survey the spread of the disease and, on the basis of the results, the virus is found south of the line drawn between the towns of Vaasa and Savonlinna. Samples from 47 different farms have been analysed so far, and antibodies have been found in 25 of these farms. The studies continue.

The Åland Islands and the coastal areas in South-West and South Finland have been regarded as a risk area in terms of the disease. In future, samples from outside this risk area will also be tested for antibodies of the Schmallenberg virus. That way, it will be detected how far north and east the virus has spread so far.

The Schmallenberg virus is transmitted from one ruminant to another via midges. The spread of the virus depends on the ambient temperature and the number of midges suitable for spreading the disease and ruminants susceptible to the disease. When the temperature falls, the midges are no longer active, and this will stop the virus from spreading. It is currently not known whether the virus is able to overwinter in Finland. It is probable that midges carrying the virus will continue to arrive in Finland driven by southerly and south-westerly winds. The symptoms have not been reported as yet. Sometimes the viral infection may result in deformed foetuses.

EVIRA

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

Germany: current Information on Schmallenberg virus

last updated October 29, 2012

As of 21 May case numbers and map will be updated weekly.

In Germany animals from 1888 holdings have been tested positive for Schmallenberg virus so far.

The cases occurred in 966 cattle holdings, 874 sheep holdings and 48 goat holdings.

Affected federal states are North Rhine-Westphalia (268 cattle, 273 sheep, 13 goat holdings), Lower Saxony (226 cattle, 143 sheep, 6 goat holdings), Hesse (122 cattle, 137 sheep holdings, 9 goat holdings), Schleswig-Holstein (108 cattle, 101 sheep holdings, 1 goat holding), Rhineland-Palatinate (1 Bison holding, 50 cattle, 43 sheep, 5 goat holdings), Baden-Wuerttemberg (33 cattle, 25 sheep, 6 goat holdings), Brandenburg (24 cattle, 21 sheep holdings), Thuringia (28 cattle, 31 sheep, 2 goat holdings), Saxony-Anhalt (18 cattle, 23 sheep, 2 goat holdings), Hamburg (2 cattle, 6 sheep holdings), Bavaria (64 cattle, 21 sheep holdings, 1 goat holding), Saxony (8 cattle holding, 36 sheep holdings), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (12 cattle, 10 sheep holdings, 1 goat holding), Saarland (1 cattle holding, 4 sheep, 2 goat holdings) and Berlin (1 sheep holding).

FLI

Link to updated map

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

Switzerland: majority of tested cattleholdings positive for Schmallenberg virus

Until 14 october malformed offspring related to SBV was confirmed on 87 holdings in 20 kantons (provinces).

Serological tests indicated 268 from 274 cattle farms were positive for SBV.

Aktuelle Untersuchungszahlen

Aus den Meldungen von Missbildungen bei Neugeborenen und Föten sind vom Februar bis zum 14. Oktober 2012 beim Institut für Viruskrankheiten und Immunprophylaxe (IVI) Einsendungen von insgesamt 87 Betrieben aus 20 verschiedenen Kantonen und dem Fürstentum Liechtenstein eingegangen.

Es wurden insgesamt 90 missgebildete Föten und Neugeborene diagnostisch abgeklärt: 54 Rinder, 22 Schafe und 14 Ziegen. Davon wurden bisher 2 missgebildete Kälber positiv auf das Schmallenberg-Virus getestet. Bei weiteren 3 Tieren wurden Schmallenberg-Virus-Antikörper nachgewiesen.

Zusätzlich sind 28 Kälber, 1 Lamm und 1 Zicklein ohne Missbildungen auf Schmallenberg-Virus untersucht worden, da in den Herkunftsbetrieben gehäuft unerklärbare Aborte und lebensschwache bzw. kranke Kälber und Mutterkühe festgestellt worden sind. In diesem Zusammenhang diagnostizierte man das Virus bei fünf Kälbern sowie Antikörper bei einem sechsten Kalb.

Bei den Untersuchungen von ausgewachsenen Rindern, welche akute Symptome wie Fieber und Durchfall zeigen, sind 268 von 274 getesteten Betrieben positiv. Entweder wurde dort das Virus selber oder Antikörper dagegen nachgewiesen, die auf eine Infektion schliessen lassen.

Stand 15.10.2012:


BVET

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

UK - Update Schmallenberg virus - Oct 29 2012

NFU

some snips:

The UK has reported to date 278 premises with SBV positive offspring: 224 in lambs and 57 in calves with 3 premises where affected lambs were first identified and then affected calves several weeks later.

In addition, there have been 21 premises with acute disease identified in dairy cattle over the last three
months, from North Yorkshire and Cheshire to Cornwall. Evidence of historical infection with the virus
has been found throughout most of England, from Northumberland to Cornwall and also in Wales, in
Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys.

It is therefore reasonable to suppose infection is throughout England and Wales and the low level of
reporting reflects the low impact of disease.

It is clear that disease has circulated throughout the year across Europe and it is possible that regions
which did not experience SBV-infected deformities in offspring may see a low level of deformities in
offspring during the coming season. Farmers may therefore wish to discuss with their private vets what
to expect and whether any action is worth taking, such as commercial testing of flocks or herds to
check past exposure to the virus, and optimising the timing for mating within the herd or flock.

Full article, incl. maps

[Shiloh]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

Source: http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/1030/sch...erg-virus.html

Schmallenberg virus detected in sample from farm in Co Cork
Updated: 19:45, Tuesday, 30 October 2012

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that a virus that causes death and deformities in unborn cattle and sheep has been detected in Ireland for the first time...

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

IRELAND

30 October 2012

Schmallenberg virus confirmed in a bovine foetus in County Cork


The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has today confirmed that tests carried out at the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, have identified the presence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in samples from a bovine foetus submitted for post mortem examination from a farm in Co. Cork.

The Department has been carrying out surveillance since February 2012 and this is the first time that the presence of the virus has been identified in Ireland. As the virus has been spreading rapidly across Europe over the past year, finding evidence of the virus in Ireland is not unexpected.

The Department is carrying out epidemiological investigations seeking to establish the likely source of infection. The virus does not given rise to any human health concerns, nor has it any food safety implications. In general, the virus causes mild disease in adult cattle, whilst it is not seen to cause any clinical signs in adult sheep or goats.

The clinical signs which were seen in cattle in Europe during 2011 and 2012 are transient, and include fever, a drop in milk production and sometimes diarrhoea. When infection occurs in animals that are not pregnant, the impact is very limited. However if ruminant animals are infected during the early stages of pregnancy, they may subsequently abort or give birth to malformed offspring.

Whilst Schmallenberg virus is not a notifiable disease, the Department will continue to carry out surveillance for Schmallenberg virus. Farmers are asked to contact their veterinary practitioner if they encounter cases of aborted foetuses or newborn animals showing malformations or nervous signs. Veterinary practitioners should then contact their Regional Veterinary Laboratory if they suspect infection with the virus.

Currently there is no licensed vaccine available.

Department of Agriculture

County Cork in the south of Ireland

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

Website DARD NI

31 October 2012

Schmallenberg Virus: First case in Northern Ireland confirmed

Schmallenberg Virus - a disease which can cause fever and birth defects in farm animals - has been detected in Northern Ireland for the first time.

It follows tests carried out on a malformed calf from a farm near Banbridge in County Down.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) said the results confirmed the presence of the virus.


Read more: BBC News

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

Second case of midge bourne livestock virus confirmed in Ireland

Wednesday October 31 2012

A VIRUS that causes fever in cattle and sheep was detected for the first time in Northern Ireland today, after the first case in the Republic was confirmed yesterday.

The Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland said tests on a malformed calf in Co Down had found traces of Schmallenberg Virus.

Another calf from the same herd tested negative but has displayed signs consistent with those associated with the disease, the department said.

Read more: Independent

See also: Department of Agriculture

County Cork in the south of Ireland

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

UK : Schmallenbergvirus confirmed in 429 holdings

Tip of the iceberg? Serological evidence from several countries indicates the majority of adult cattle, sheep and goats in affected regions is positive for Schmallenbergvirus.


1 November – Schmallenberg virus update on testing results

UK - Schmallenberg Virus – update on testing results (figures correct as of 24 October 2012).

Fetal malformation (1)
Cattle Holdings - 57
Sheep Holdings - 224

Total - 281

Serology (2)
Cattle Holdings - 114
Sheep Holdings - 13

Total - 127

Acute Disease (3)
Cattle Holdings - 21


(1) - Fetal malformation and positive SBV PCR testing to detect virus or positive SBV fetal fluid serology to detect antibody
evidence of historical infection

(2) - Positive SBV serology, to detect antibody evidence of historical infection in either healthy animals or clinical cases which have
not been confirmed by tests in 1and 3.

(3) - Clinical signs in cattle including diarrhoea and milk drop associated with rising antibody titre to SBV or positive SBV PCR
testing for virus in blood

DEFRA

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

France is starting up SBV surveillance again

France is starting up SBV surveillance again, after reports of malformed lambs in several departments in september.

ESA will take into account actual cases of malformed offspring from September 1, 2012.

Link to document

Survepi

Latest update.

.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

The Irish Times - Friday, November 9, 2012

Ireland: second case of livestock virus found

ALISON HEALY

A second case of a newly discovered livestock disease has been confirmed.

The first Schmallenberg virus case was confirmed by the Department of Agriculture last week following tests on a bovine foetus which came from a farm in Co Cork. This latest case was discovered on another Cork farm. A cow had aborted a foetus and a postmortem confirmed the presence of the virus.

The Schmallenberg virus does not pose a risk to human health or have food safety implications, but if cows, sheep or goats come in contact with the virus during the early stages of pregnancy, they may subsequently abort or give birth to malformed offspring.

The disease is thought to be spread by midges.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Schmallenberg virus : new Akabane-like virus in cattle, sheep and goats in Europe

Germany: current Information on Schmallenberg virus

last updated November 6, 2012

As of 21 May case numbers and map will be updated weekly.

In Germany animals from 1910 holdings have been tested positive for Schmallenberg virus so far.

The cases occurred in 988 cattle holdings, 874 sheep holdings and 48 goat holdings.

Affected federal states are North Rhine-Westphalia (269 cattle, 273 sheep, 13 goat holdings), Lower Saxony (226 cattle, 143 sheep, 6 goat holdings), Hesse (122 cattle, 137 sheep holdings, 9 goat holdings), Schleswig-Holstein (110 cattle, 101 sheep holdings, 1 goat holding), Rhineland-Palatinate (1 Bison holding, 51 cattle, 43 sheep, 5 goat holdings), Baden-Wuerttemberg (35 cattle, 25 sheep, 6 goat holdings), Brandenburg (24 cattle, 21 sheep holdings), Thuringia (28 cattle, 31 sheep, 2 goat holdings), Saxony-Anhalt (18 cattle, 23 sheep, 2 goat holdings), Hamburg (2 cattle, 6 sheep holdings), Bavaria (80 cattle, 21 sheep holdings, 1 goat holding), Saxony (9 cattle holding, 36 sheep holdings), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (12 cattle, 10 sheep holdings, 1 goat holding), Saarland (1 cattle holding, 4 sheep, 2 goat holdings) and Berlin (1 sheep holding).

FLI

Link to map