Scientists create synthetic form of SBV
Scottish scientists have made a synthetic version of the Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the laboratory, raising hopes for the development of a vaccine for the disease.
The synthetic version was formed so that scientists were able to study its genetics and how it infects farm animals. They manipulated the virus's genetic sequence so it was more and less severe during the study.
Experiments showed that, if the virus is passed to calves or lambs during pregnancy, it replicates itself in the brain cells and spinal cords of the unborn animals.
Massimo Palmarini and Alan Kohl led the study at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research.
Professor Palmarini said: "This is the first time we have been able to manipulate the genome of SBV in this way. We now know much more about how the virus causes the disease than we did a couple of months ago."
SBV was first discovered in Germany in November 2011 and has since spread to the UK, via midges that were blown over from the continent. The virus is now carried by native midges, and has affected about 1,000 farms across England and Wales.
An SBV vaccine is currently undergoing tests for European approval.
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.
