Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Schmallenberg virus 'may reappear', experts warn
sheep and lambs
Schmallenberg may reappear after a period of low circulation, as has been seen with bluetongue virus in France.
Lack of circulation could lead to lack of awareness

New research suggests that Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is unlikely to be circulating in the south of England, but experts warn the virus could reappear in years to come as herd immunity decreases.

SBV is a midge-borne viral disease that causes only mild clinical signs in adult ruminants, but leads to abortions, stillbirths and congenital defects if pregnant females become infected. After it was discovered in dairy cattle herds in Germany during 2011, it spread across Europe.

The UK saw high circulation of SBV in 2012-2013, followed by a decline in 2014. Researchers from the University of Liverpool wanted to find out if this was a true decrease in circulation, or a lack of reporting. Their findings have been published in the Veterinary Record.

Led by Jessica Stokes, the team tested 1,444 samples from sheep aged six to 12 months, from 131 farms last year. Only five samples tested positive, but were later confirmed as negative by a 'gold standard' test at an external lab. All sheep tested were born after October 2014 and were over six months old, to exclude animals with immunity following infection in 2012-2014.

Despite these findings, researchers say Schmallenberg may reappear after a period of low circulation, as has been seen with bluetongue virus in France. The country was declared disease free in 2012, only for the virus to re-emerge last year, most likely from wildlife.

Furthermore, there are concerns that governments, vets and farmers may become less aware of Schmallenberg due to its lack of circulation, and may think - or hope - that it has disappeared. In an editorial accompanying the research, Nick de Regge from the University of Ghent in Belgium, said the data for similar viruses predicts otherwise.

No data are currently available on the level of immunity against Schmallenberg in wild populations, but the susceptible population is likely to increase as herd immunity falls.

"Five years after its initial emergence, this could shape the ideal conditions for a renewed large scale re-emergence of Schmallenberg virus that would probably be be followed by a new abortion storm," he warned.

"It seems advisable to closely monitor the situation via different surveillance techniques to allow timely warnings to veterinarians and farmers and to remind them to remain alert."

Researchers called for more emphasis on wildlife surveillance and trapping and testing of midges across specific sites that are at high risk of wind transfer from Europe.

"Regardless of the current status of Schmallenberg virus in Europe, this study has highlighted a large, naive population susceptible to future outbreaks, within the south of England," they explained. "Effective surveillance systems are therefore needed to warn vets and farmers of future disease risks."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.