There have been cases confirmed in the South West, South East, and North East England along with cases in Wales. There are also more general reports of increases in difficult lambings and calvings across the country.

While there is yet to be a case confirmed in Scotland, farmers are urged to remain vigilant to the disease. If farmers suspect the presence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) then they should put samples for post-mortem.

SBV is transmitted between ruminants by midges at a far higher rate than bluetongue virus

The Schmallenberg virus is transmitted by midges which infect animals when they bite. Infected cattle can sometimes demonstrate symptoms of acute disease; however, if infected in the earlier stages of pregnancy, lambs and calves can be born with severe malformations that can make delivery very difficult particularly in those with rigidly fixed limbs that may cause damage to the birth canal.

Welfare implications

The disease has welfare implications, and at sub clinical levels, can suppress milk production and growth rates. Any deformities present on farms now will have been caused by infection taking place last year and there is nothing that can be done to alleviate issues at the moment.

While there has already been a number of cases, mainstream lambing and calving is only just starting. A joint industry group along with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is calling for more suspected cases so they can understand the true extent of the problem. Farmers who have suspected lambs or calves with deformities should contact their vets so post-mortem examination can be carried out to establish whether Schmallenberg is the cause.

Please remember that, when the APHA suspects SBV, they will fund the testing for the virus. It is important you speak to your vet before submitting samples to help rule out other diseases. Test results, whether negative or positive, allow you to confirm or rule out specific disease issues in that animal and potentially in the wider herd/flock, so there is value to the individual farm in investigation.

No vaccine

Currently there is no vaccine available and it is already too late to vaccinate sheep that are due to lamb this spring or cows due to calve. However, there will be a vaccine available later this year and further details on when will be confirmed soon.

If more suspected cases are investigated then a clearer picture of the disease will emerge. This means that farmers will be in a better position to assess whether to vaccinate or not.

Dr Simon Carpenter, head of entomology, The Pirbright Institute, said: “SBV is transmitted between ruminants by midges at a far higher rate than bluetongue virus and so spreads more quickly through farms. This might also mean that it can be transmitted effectively at lower temperatures and so extend the season during which the virus is a threat.”

The joint industry group is composed of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, the British Veterinary Association, the Goat Veterinary Society, the National Beef Association, the National Farmers’ Union, the National Sheep Association, the Pirbright Institute and the Sheep Veterinary Society.

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