Schmallenberg virus was named after Schmallenberg, Germany as it was where the first definitive sample was derived. It was initially reported in 2001 so is a relatively new emerging livestock disease. The virus has been associated with brief mild/moderate disease (milk drop, pyrexia, diarrhoea) in adult cattle and late abortion or birth defects in newborn cattle, sheep and goats. It is spread by vectors (mosquitoes, midges etc.)
"We've seen quite rapid geographic spread," repors the government's Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens. "Some will - in those herds and flocks we expect an impact of 2-5% of their lambs and
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| A stillborn calf affected with the Schmallenberg virus |
calves."
This will obviously cause a great impact on the financial profit of the farmers.
Alasdair Cook Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agencies"The infection has been transmitted through the whole of England and Wales, effectively, up to the Scottish borders”
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| A stillborn lamb also affected |
Cases have been documented on 976 farms in England and Wales, compared with 276 in August.
However, officials believe the true number of cases is higher. The first sign is often when livestock give birth to deformed or dead young - which can be months after the infection has occurred.
As it is very early in the lambing season it is not yet possible to tell how much of an impact this outbreak will have. I do have a placement for lambing this year so will be interested to find out what farmers think of this disease first hand .
However, there is a vaccine being developed and it is hoped-if it is safe and effective it could be in place in time for next years lambing season.
***UPDATE AFTER LAMBING PLACEMENT***
There was no Schmallenberg cases at the farm I worked at. However some local farms did have horrendous outbreaks resulting in a very damaging lambing season for finances due to a lot of stillborn lambs.
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