Schmallenberg virus

EUROPEAN LIVESTOCK AND MEAT TRADES UNION

UECBV

Circulation of a previously unknown virus has been reported from November 2011 to January 2012 in ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) in DE, NL, BE, FR and the UK.

• The virus is part of the Simbu serogroup of the Bunyaviridae family, genus Orthobunyavirus.

• Viruses of this Simbu serogroup have never been previously isolated in Europe (mostly found in ruminants in Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

• Simbu serogroup viruses are mainly transmitted by mosquitoes (Culicidae) or midges (Culicoides)

• No direct transmission from animal to animal demonstrated except trans-placental transmission from a viremic dam to the fetus

Background

Clinical signs • Transient non-specific clinical signs of disease in adult

cattle (observed in summer and early autumn 2011):- Increased body temperatures (>40°C) - Diarrhoea- Impaired general condition- Anorexia- Reduced milk yield (by up to 50%)• Congenital defects in new born, mainly lambs (observed

in winter 2011-2012)

• There is no evidence that the Schmallenberg virus could cause illness in humans (ECDC report December 2012).

Background

• Several EU MS have spontaneously implemented a suspicion-reporting procedure for abortions, stillbirths or congenital malformations in ruminants.

• The affected EU MS have notified the OIE the occurrence of the SV in their territory, under the notification procedure for emerging diseases (SV is not subject to international notification or standards on trade established by the OIE)

• The data available suggest that the SV infection does not deserve a different approach from diseases like Akabane.

• SV can currently be detected through RT-PCR testing (no serological test has been developed for large-scale testing, so far).

• No vaccines are currently available.• EFSA, ECDC and several laboratories and experts of the EU

MS are currently engaged in studies and investigations on this infection.

EU surveillance & control

EU SV Outbreaks – information to the OIE • 29 SV outbreaks in sheep in France (last update: 31st

January) • 87 SV outbreaks in sheep and goats in the Netherlands

(last update: 31st January). • 125 SV outbreaks in cattle, sheep and goats in Germany

(last update: 3 February). • 11 SV outbreaks in sheep in the UK (last update: 3rd

February). • 15 SV outbreak in cattle in Belgium (last update: 24

January).

EU surveillance & control

• The EU does not apply any trade restrictions in relation to the SV as well as any other Orthobunyavirus on live animals, their meat, milk or animal by-products, as the EU does not consider that these goods pose a risk of transmission of these viruses.

• Different Third Countries imposed a temporary ban on live ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats), and their semen and embryos from the affected EU MS (Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, Egypt) and other TC are planning to impose restriction measures (US, Kazakhstan and Lebanon).

• Based on the available data, the EU considers that restrictive measures against EU exports of ruminants and their products are not justified.

International Trade

UECBV is in close and daily contact with UECBV members in the concern

countries and with DG TRADE and SANCO in order to facilitate the

information flow between the EU and the industry/livestock sector and to avoid

additional restriction measures to trade

International Trade

www.uecbv.eu

Thank you very much for your attention!