A calf with a confirmed and obvious case of schmallenberg virus (SBV)
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The first case of Schmallenberg (SBV) in a bovine in 2018 has been confirmed in Northern Ireland by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
A stillborn calf suffering from a foetal deformity in Fermanagh was confirmed to be carrying the virus.
SBV is carried and spread by midges and causes severe physical deformities and late-stage abortions.
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SBV has now impacted all six counties in Northern Ireland, with AFBI confirming 29 cases of SBV in sheep this year.
Anecdotally, farmers have been reporting higher than recorded cases of SBV, but some farmers are unaware of what the disease is.
In the Republic of Ireland, there has been a 33% increase in rates of SBV up to the most recent figures released by the Department of Agriculture, with 40 confirmed sheep cases in 2018.
There has also been nine confirmed bovine cases in the Republic, which marks a ninefold increase compared to the same period last year.
A vaccine for SBV is available in the UK, including Northern Ireland, but is not available in the South of Ireland.
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The first case of Schmallenberg (SBV) in a bovine in 2018 has been confirmed in Northern Ireland by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
A stillborn calf suffering from a foetal deformity in Fermanagh was confirmed to be carrying the virus.
SBV is carried and spread by midges and causes severe physical deformities and late-stage abortions.
SBV has now impacted all six counties in Northern Ireland, with AFBI confirming 29 cases of SBV in sheep this year.
Anecdotally, farmers have been reporting higher than recorded cases of SBV, but some farmers are unaware of what the disease is.
In the Republic of Ireland, there has been a 33% increase in rates of SBV up to the most recent figures released by the Department of Agriculture, with 40 confirmed sheep cases in 2018.
There has also been nine confirmed bovine cases in the Republic, which marks a ninefold increase compared to the same period last year.
A vaccine for SBV is available in the UK, including Northern Ireland, but is not available in the South of Ireland.
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