Brussels, 12/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Schmallenberg virus, the new, recently detected virus in ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, is the focus of European Union attention and, on 11 January, stock was taken of what is known of the virus at the meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH). Member state experts on the committee were briefed on the situation and on the state of scientific knowledge on the virus which is responsible for non-specific clinical signs in cattle and congenital malformations, mainly in sheep and more seldom in cattle and goats. Transmission of the virus to humans cannot be definitely ruled out but there is no evidence that the virus has caused illness in humans at this stage, and this would in fact seem “unlikely”.
Although there are no clear geographical clusters of these cases so far, EU27 experts consider the situation should be kept under close surveillance and reassessed in the light of further scientific data. They have agreed to finalise a common approach to investigations and scientific studies to be carried out and have invited the Commission to identify ways to provide financial support to the investigations on which possible disease control measures may be founded. They also felt it would be appropriate to heighten the awareness of farmers and veterinary services to assist them in facing any risks inherent to the new virus.
To date, the Schmallenberg virus has been detected in 20 farms in Germany (in cattle and sheep), in 52 farms in the Netherlands (in sheep, and one case in goat), and in 14 farms in Belgium (in sheep only). “The member states and the Commission acknowledge the efforts made by these three member states to provide the best possible scientific information on the risks posed by the virus, in full transparency”, reads a statement published by the SCoFCAH after its meeting.
Borne by mosquitoes and fly vectors, the virus is directly carried from animal to animal (also via intra-uterine transmission) but propagation in winter is unlikely. According to the preliminary assessments of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), “it is unlikely that this virus can cause disease in humans, but it cannot be completely excluded at this stage”. Member states and the Commission consider that the information on the Schmallenberg virus is still fragmented and mostly extrapolated from data available on genetically similar viruses. (AN/transl.jl)