Abstract:

Between August and November, 2011 a new viral infection affecting ruminant species had been existed in many European countries. The infection having clinical symptoms similar to Akabane have been shown to be transmitted by blood suckling mosquitoes. The virus, so called “Schmallenberg virus” was classified in the Simbu serogroup of Orthobunyavirus genus of the family Bunyaviridae. It was demonstrated that the vector of the virus are Culicoides obsoletus and C. dewulfi. The most common disease symptoms in adult animals were reduction in milk yield, diarrhoea and fever with a full and rapid recovery over several days. SBV in newborns is mostly detected with malformations that are regularly born at term. In malformed fetuses, arthrogryposis, scoliosis, torticollis, brachygnathia and brain malformations are recorded. Obtained early data showed that the Schmallenberg virus affects cattle, sheep, goats and some deer species. The first epidemic began in Germany and Holland then clinical cases were reported from Belgium, England, France, Italy, Spain and Luxemburg. However, the virus was detected only in mosquitoes in Denmark. The vectors of the virus also found in Turkey but the infection has not existed yet.