Schmallenberg Virus: a Review

F Lee

Animal Health Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan

Abstract

Schmallenberg virus is a novel orthobunyavirus identified during outbreaks in Germany and the Netherlands. Infection with Schmallenberg virus in pregnant cattle, sheep, and goats is characterized by abortion, stillbirth, and fetuses and newborns with abnormalities such as central nerve system deformaties and arthrogryposis. The virus was first identified in Germany and the Netherlands in 2011 and soon spread to at least 20 European countries so far. Cattle, goat, sheep, red deer Cervus elaphus , roe deer Capreolus capreolus , alpaca Vicugna pacos , elk Alces alces , European bison Bison bonasus , and dog are known to susceptible to the virus, and mice can be infected experimentally as well. Culicoides biting midges are the potential insect vectors responsible for natural transmission of the virus. Diagnosis mainly depends on detection of the virus, viral RNA, and specific antibodies. Clinical symptoms of infection in adult animals are usually mild and non-specific. Schmallenberg virus is not considered to be zoonotic.

Keywords: Schmallenberg virus, orthobunyavirus, ruminant, Culicoides biting midge.