SBV found in 3 new counties
The presence of the Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) has been confirmed in three more areas in southern England. The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) have confirmed that SBV has been detected in Gloucestershire, in West Berkshire, and on the Isle of Wight. Cases have already been identified in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, Hertfordshire and Cornwall. Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire are now deemed 'at risk'.
AHVLA have also confirmed that the total number of cases has risen to 83, of which 5 are in cattle and 78 are in sheep. It is likely, however, that the disease has been under-reported due to the fact that not all farms have begun lambing or calving yet and that the total number of affected farms could be dramatically higher.
In excess of 1,000 cases have now been confirmed across Europe. Countries known to be infected include Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the UK. However, AHVLA have also confirmed that none of the farms known to be affected imported animals from areas in Europe that are also known to be affected during 2011.
A breakdown of case locations and numbers is available at the AHVLA website.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
