Epidemiology of Schmallenberg virus: relevance for humans

[Gert van der Hoek]

Epidemiology of Schmallenberg virus: relevance for humans

The Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is affecting cattle, goats and sheep. There is currently no evidence that the Schmallenberg virus could cause illness in humans.

The ProMED-mail moderator explains, why monitoring and analysing the spread of the Schmallenberg virus (and Bluetongue virus type 8) could be relevant for humans. Midges are vectors of other animal and human diseases.

However, the fast and efficient spread of SBV (and earlier, BTV-8) in Europe is alarming. Fortunately, SBV is -- most likely -- not zoonotic.

Other culicoid-borne viruses, which might be similarly introduced in the future, may have a different pathogenicity profile in animal and, in a worse scenario, in man.

The epidemiology of SBV deserves a thorough study.

ProMED-mail

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