'Clear Decrease' In SBV across Europe
A recently published analysis of epidemiological data by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has shown a clear decrease in the number of reports of sheep flocks with confirmed cases of the Schmallenberg virus in Europe.
Based on data obtained up to April 16, the EFSA says that eight member states - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK - have confirmed cases of SBV. The data submitted by member states indicates that cases peaked at the end of February, followed by a decrease in the number of reports of SBV-confirmed herds.
The decrease was clearly observed in sheep, in terms of the numbers of both confirmed and suspect herds. However, it adds that there has been no clear decrease in cattle, and that any decrease seen could be due to incomplete reporting, as well as the being linked to the end of lambing season.
The EFSA stated: For all affected countries, the number of herds with at least one SBV confirmed animal is low in comparison with the total number of herds."
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