Widespread Schmallenberg Outbreak Notified
ESTONIA – Schmallenberg virus is thought to have reached Estonia after lambs with congenital defect characteristics were reported by veterinarians undertaking surveillance procedures.
Officially announced as endemic across Europe in May 2012 Schmallenberg is still being spread by midges. It is a notifiable disease due to its effect on the development and survival on the developing foetus.
Countries are therefore required to inform the World Organisation for Animal Health of outbreaks that occur on home soil.
Despite this ruling, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance believe that some countries are not reporting Schmallenberg outbreaks with Hungary and the Czech Republic being suspected of inaction.
Animal movement control precaution have caused the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance distress. Information has been requested from the Veterinary services of some European countries including Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.
Blood tests and genetic tests have been used to confirm virus presence before the pregnancy. These have offered animal health authorities a view of what animals and holdings should be quarantined and imposed with movement restrictions.
TheCattleSite News Desk