Schmallenberg Virus in Goats: An Emerging Threat

Goats	Schmallenberg Virus in Goats: An Emerging Threat
	Goat Knowledge Series Articles 1 Felicity McCullough
Index of Goat Information Anglo-Nubian Goats Boar Goats Blog about Goats Cheese Making Goat Christmas Goats Cooking Goat Diseases of Goats Goat Basics Goat Books Goat Character Goat Fun Goat Giving Birth Video Goats Home Goat Humour Goat Island Goat Knowledge Goat Links Goat Lotions Goat Poetry Goat Pregnancy Goat Soap Goat Songs Goat Stories Goat Transgenics Goat Viruses How to Raise Goats India Goat Farming Milking Goats Nigerian Dwarf Goat Nimbkar Boar Goat Reproduction Software Goat Recording Spider Goats Videos Goats Weighing Goats	Table of Contents Background - The Outbreak The Virus The Symptoms Treatment and Prevention References Disclaimer Background - The Outbreak Currently in Europe and the UK, there is a concern over a recent outbreak of a new virus, called the Schmallenberg Virus. 20 December 2012: issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regarding a few outbreaks that occurred in cattle over the summer of 2011 in Germany and the Netherlands. 5 January 2012: The first goat farm affected was reported in Belgium and three goat farms in the Netherlands. 31 January 2012: Lambs have been found infected with the virus in France and the UK, specifically in Suffolk, Norfolk, Kent and East Sussex. There are 350 farms in the Netherlands, including 17 goat farms and 7 goat farms in Germany that have received positive results for the virus. 10 February 2012: Five goats have been reported positive for the virus in the Netherlands, 1 in Belgium and 19 goats in Germany. 22 February 2012: The disease has now spread in England and to northern Italy and Luxembourg. Goats have been affected in Italy (1), Luxembourg (1), the Netherlands (5), Belgium (1) and Germany (31). The Virus Because it is such a newly discovered virus, much is still unknown, although research is progressing. This virus is similar to the Orthobunyavirus and it has affected cattle, sheep and goats to date. The transmission of this virus to humans is a possibility, based on the fact that there are a few viruses from the Orthobunyavirus genus that are zoonosis. Yet, experts are considering human transmission unlikely. The virus seems to be transmitted through vectors, specifically through midges and mosquitoes and possibly through direct transmission, although none of this is confirmed due to the virus' recent discovery. At this time, it is believed that the virus should die down during winter months, when the midges are no longer circulating. The Symptoms Mild illness with fever, up to 50% reduction of milk yield, loss of appetite and condition and sometimes diarrhoea were reported in cattle during the first outbreak in the summer of 2011. The cattle recovered, but calves were born deformed. Since then there have been deformed lambs and kids reported as well as abortions. It seems that sheep and goats are only affected with a rise in neonatal deformities and abortion. Deformities include defects relating to limbs and neurological problems. These include arthrogyposis or locked joints, the shortening of the hamstrings, hydranecephaly, stiff neck, deformation of the jaw, flaccid paralysis, blindness, exaggerated movements, hyperexcitability, feeding difficulties and ataxia. Treatment and Prevention There is no vaccination or treatment plan in place due to the lack of information on the virus. The disease is not notifiable in the UK, although reporting suspicious cases to Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) is advised, especially regarding neonatal deformities. It is believed to have entered the UK with wind borne midges or the importation of asymptomatic infected animals, between August and October of 2011 from the Netherlands and/or Germany. It is thought that it will likely be 12 months before a vaccine can be developed, as this is such a new virus. After the Blue Tongue outbreaks in recent years, animals are now routinely vaccinated again this disease as a vaccine was developed. Sheep have a five month pregnancy period so it is thought that the infections occurred last September. Great concern has been expressed that when the cattle give birth later this year, more problems may occur with this virus causing deformities in calves. References DEFRA (2011) Schmallenberg Virus in Northern Europe: a new orthobunyavirus in cattle. Accessed 27/02/2012. DEFRA (2012) An update on Schmallenberg Virus in Northern Europe. Accessed 27/02/2012. DEFRA (2012) Update No.3 on Schmallenberg Virus in Northern Europe. Accessed 272/2012. DEFRA (2012) Update No.4 on Schmallenberg Virus in Northern Europe. Accessed 27/02/2012. DEFRA. (2012) Update No.5 on Schmallenberg Virus in Northern Europe. Accessed 27/02/2012. Disclaimer This article is meant to be STRICTLY AN EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Although the best effort was made by the author, there are no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the contents within this work. The author does not guarantee the accuracy of any information or content in resources or websites listed or cited within this work. Additionally, the author, publisher and distributors never give medical, legal, accounting or any other type of professional advice. The reader must always seek those services from competent professionals that can review the particular circumstances. Mention of any product, brand or website is NOT an endorsement or recommendation of that product, service or usage. The medical field is a very dynamic field that is constantly undergoing research, modifications and advancements and therefore information contained in this article should always be researched further and A VETERINARIAN OR OTHER SPECIALIST SHOULD BE CONSULTED where appropriate. Any and all application of the information contained in this article is of the sole responsibility of the person performing said action. The author, publisher and distributors particularly disclaim any liability, loss, or risk taken by individuals who directly or indirectly act on the information herein. All readers must accept full responsibility for their use of this material.
	Index of Goat Information About Goats Anglo-Nubian Goats Boar Goats Blog about Goats Cheese Making Goat Christmas Goats Cooking Goat Diseases of Goats Goat Basics Goat Books Goat Character Goat Fun Goat Giving Birth Video Goats Home Goat Humour Goat Island Goat Knowledge Goat Links Goat Lotions Goat Poetry Goat Pregnancy Goat Soap Goat Songs Goat Stories Goat Temperament Goat Transgenics Goat Viruses Healthy Goats How to Raise Goats India Goat Farming Keeping Goats Information Milking Goats Nigerian Dwarf Goat Nimbkar Boar Goat Reproduction Saanen Goats Software Goat Recording Spider Goats Videos Goats Weighing Goats
	External links Goats: American Dairy Goat Association American Goat Society British Goat Society Dairy Goat Society of Australia DEFRA UK National Pygmy Goat Association Pygmy Goat Club Welfare of Goats During Transport

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