Schmallenberg virus Background
Between August and October 2011, outbreaks of disease in adult cattle that included mild to moderate fever, reduced milk yield, loss of appetite, loss of body condition and diarrhoea were reported in both the Netherlands and Germany. Testing for common causes proved negative.
From November 2011, abortion and stillbirths associated with foetal abnormalities, affecting mainly sheep but also cattle and goats, were identified in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
A new virus was identified in December 2011 as the cause of both conditions. This was named ‘Schmallenberg virus’ after the German town where the virus was first identified.
In early 2012, the first cases were suspected in the south and east of England. In these initial cases, the disease was diagnosed following the testing of deformed lambs ...
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http://vla.defra.gov.uk/science/sci_schmallenberg.htm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Price of lamb set to soar as deadly virus kills one in 10 animalsBy Laurie Hanna
1 Comment
26 Feb 2012 15:07
Supermarkets face shortages due to the fatal Schmallenberg virus that has infected British farms after taking hold in Germany last year...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/price-of-lamb-soars-as-deadly-schmallenberg-744041 the price of lamb? what about the price of beef, milk and dairy products?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Schmallenberg virus found on 74 farms in EnglandLivestock virus which has caused birth defects and emerged in the Netherlands and Germany has now spread to the UK
Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 26 February 2012 06.44 GMT
An animal disease which causes birth defects and miscarriages in livestock has been found on 74 farms in England.
The Schmallenberg virus first emerged in the Netherlands and Germany last year, causing mild to moderate symptoms in adult cattle, including reduced milk yield and diarrhoea, and late abortions and birth deformities in newborn sheep, goats and cattle.
It is thought the virus is spread by midges, and has crossed the Channel from the continent.
The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) said the infection had now been identified on 74 farms.
Five of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 69 in sheep, and none to date in other species. So far, none of the affected farms have reported importing animals during 2011 from the affected areas in mainland Europe. ...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/feb/26/schmallenberg-virus-farms-englandFive of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 69 in sheep,