Via BBC News, excerpt :
" A farmer says it is only a matter of time before the Schmallenberg virus which causes birth defects and miscarriages in livestock reaches Wales.
Chief vet Dr Christianne Glossop said tests have been held on Welsh farms but there have been no confirmed cases.
The disease has been affecting livestock in England."
Showing posts with label Schmallenberg virus (SBV). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Schmallenberg virus (SBV). Show all posts
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Schmallenberg virus confirmed in England
Via Farming Life :
" THE Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) in Great Britain has reported the presence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) on four sheep farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex.
“Some days ago we obtained samples from animals with clinical signs consistent with SBV infection via our Regional Laboratory network,” an AHVLA spokesperson confirmed.
“The samples were analysed at the Virology Laboratory, AHVLA Weybridge, based on information provided by the Netherlands and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute."
" THE Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) in Great Britain has reported the presence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) on four sheep farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex.
“Some days ago we obtained samples from animals with clinical signs consistent with SBV infection via our Regional Laboratory network,” an AHVLA spokesperson confirmed.
“The samples were analysed at the Virology Laboratory, AHVLA Weybridge, based on information provided by the Netherlands and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute."
Monday, January 30, 2012
Scotland prepared for Schmallenberg
Via Farmers Guardian :
" THE PCR test used to detect Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) is now available in Scotland, scientists in Edinburgh have announced.
Scientists from Moredun Research Institute said they will be screening all suspect cases of the disease found in Scotland.
SBV was confirmed on four sheep farms in eastern England last week, the first time the new livestock disease has been found in the UK. AHVLA officials believe that the disease probably came over to the UK in midges from northern Europe in the summer or autumn and has been circulating in livestock ever since.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, AHVLA and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) are carrying out SBV testing."
" THE PCR test used to detect Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) is now available in Scotland, scientists in Edinburgh have announced.
Scientists from Moredun Research Institute said they will be screening all suspect cases of the disease found in Scotland.
SBV was confirmed on four sheep farms in eastern England last week, the first time the new livestock disease has been found in the UK. AHVLA officials believe that the disease probably came over to the UK in midges from northern Europe in the summer or autumn and has been circulating in livestock ever since.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, AHVLA and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) are carrying out SBV testing."
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
UK : Farmers' concerns over new livestock illness
Via BBC News :
" Farmers say they are "very concerned" about a new animal illness which can cause birth defects in livestock.
The Schmallenberg virus (SBV), which emerged in the Netherlands and Germany last year, was confirmed in the UK for the first time on Monday.
Cattle farmer Roger Long said: "We know so little about it. But of course we are concerned and the last thing we need is another virus to come over here."
Mr Long said his farm at East Dereham in Norfolk was "not a million miles away" from one of two sheep farms in the county where the disease has been detected.
SBV has been confirmed at two other sheep farms in England, one in Suffolk and one in East Sussex. The NFU said all the lambs which tested positive for SBV were stillborn or died shortly after birth."
" Farmers say they are "very concerned" about a new animal illness which can cause birth defects in livestock.
The Schmallenberg virus (SBV), which emerged in the Netherlands and Germany last year, was confirmed in the UK for the first time on Monday.
Cattle farmer Roger Long said: "We know so little about it. But of course we are concerned and the last thing we need is another virus to come over here."
Mr Long said his farm at East Dereham in Norfolk was "not a million miles away" from one of two sheep farms in the county where the disease has been detected.
SBV has been confirmed at two other sheep farms in England, one in Suffolk and one in East Sussex. The NFU said all the lambs which tested positive for SBV were stillborn or died shortly after birth."
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
UK : Animal disease detected in Norfolk, Suffolk and Sussex
Via BBC News, excerpt :
" A new animal illness which causes birth defects in livestock has been confirmed in the UK for the first time at four sheep farms.
Tests on animals on the farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex have detected the Schmallenberg virus.
The disease first emerged in the Netherlands and Germany last year.
It can lead to late abortions and birth deformities in newborn sheep, goats and cattle and is thought to be spread by midges.
The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), which detected the disease in the UK farms, said it was continuing to monitor it.
'Spread by midges'
Officials said that although the disease was a new one, and there were some uncertainties about it, assessment by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control suggested the risk to humans from Schmallenberg virus was very low.
A spokesman for the AHVLA said: "We have finished the initial analysis of samples we have received as a result of our enhanced surveillance for this new disease."
" A new animal illness which causes birth defects in livestock has been confirmed in the UK for the first time at four sheep farms.
Tests on animals on the farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex have detected the Schmallenberg virus.
The disease first emerged in the Netherlands and Germany last year.
It can lead to late abortions and birth deformities in newborn sheep, goats and cattle and is thought to be spread by midges.
The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), which detected the disease in the UK farms, said it was continuing to monitor it.
'Spread by midges'
Officials said that although the disease was a new one, and there were some uncertainties about it, assessment by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control suggested the risk to humans from Schmallenberg virus was very low.
A spokesman for the AHVLA said: "We have finished the initial analysis of samples we have received as a result of our enhanced surveillance for this new disease."
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Russia bans imports of Dutch meat over new virus
Via Reuters, excerpt :
" Russia has banned imports of sheep and goat meat and live animals from the Netherlands following an outbreak of a new virus detected last year, the Dutch Economics and Agriculture ministry said on Wednesday.
The Schmallenberg virus, named after a German town where it was first found last year, was first diagnosed in December at a Dutch sheep farm in the brains of lambs who were born with a deformed neck or head or stiff joints."
" Russia has banned imports of sheep and goat meat and live animals from the Netherlands following an outbreak of a new virus detected last year, the Dutch Economics and Agriculture ministry said on Wednesday.
The Schmallenberg virus, named after a German town where it was first found last year, was first diagnosed in December at a Dutch sheep farm in the brains of lambs who were born with a deformed neck or head or stiff joints."
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Scotland : New livestock virus alert
Via The Scottish Farmer, excerpt :
" A NEW virus that causes foetal malformations in cattle, sheep and goats has been detected in mainland Europe – and Scottish vets and farmers have been put on alert for any sign that it might have reached these shores.
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has already been confirmed in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. It is thought, but not confirmed, that the virus is insect borne and species of midges are implicated. There is little more known about its transmission, or if immunity can arise after infection. But there is no vaccine available.
This week, SAC’s veterinary services manager Brian Hosie wrote to vets and the farming industry requesting that they promptly report limb and brain defects in new-born animals."
" A NEW virus that causes foetal malformations in cattle, sheep and goats has been detected in mainland Europe – and Scottish vets and farmers have been put on alert for any sign that it might have reached these shores.
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has already been confirmed in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. It is thought, but not confirmed, that the virus is insect borne and species of midges are implicated. There is little more known about its transmission, or if immunity can arise after infection. But there is no vaccine available.
This week, SAC’s veterinary services manager Brian Hosie wrote to vets and the farming industry requesting that they promptly report limb and brain defects in new-born animals."
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Scotland : Warning over new viral disease threat to livestock
Via Scotsman :
" Scottish livestock farmers have been alerted to look out for a new viral disease which causes foetal malformations in cattle, sheep and goats.
Brian Hosie, veterinary services manager with the Scottish Agricultural College, said last night that the warning follows the detection of “Schmallenberg virus” (SBV) in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium; the first time this disease has surfaced in northern Europe.
Hosie has written to vet practices and farmers in Scotland asking them to report incidences of limb and brain defects in new-born animals and foetuses.
“We want to fully investigate certain types of limb and brain defects in new-born ruminants and foetuses. Specifically, contractures that are present at birth that result in reduced mobility of several limb joints. In severe cases, limbs and the spine also may be twisted.
“The brain damage caused by this virus is severe and results in blindness and lack of brain function.”
He emphasised that while there was no evidence that SBV was currently present in Britain, the enhanced surveillance was necessary to ensure that, should SBV infection occur, it was detected and controlled at the earliest possible stage."
" Scottish livestock farmers have been alerted to look out for a new viral disease which causes foetal malformations in cattle, sheep and goats.
Brian Hosie, veterinary services manager with the Scottish Agricultural College, said last night that the warning follows the detection of “Schmallenberg virus” (SBV) in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium; the first time this disease has surfaced in northern Europe.
Hosie has written to vet practices and farmers in Scotland asking them to report incidences of limb and brain defects in new-born animals and foetuses.
“We want to fully investigate certain types of limb and brain defects in new-born ruminants and foetuses. Specifically, contractures that are present at birth that result in reduced mobility of several limb joints. In severe cases, limbs and the spine also may be twisted.
“The brain damage caused by this virus is severe and results in blindness and lack of brain function.”
He emphasised that while there was no evidence that SBV was currently present in Britain, the enhanced surveillance was necessary to ensure that, should SBV infection occur, it was detected and controlled at the earliest possible stage."
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