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Schmallenberg virus (SBV)
About Schmallenberg virus (SBV)
Schmallenberg is a non-contagious, viral disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants (sheep, cattle, goats and deer), which is transmitted by biting midges.
What are the clinical signs of the disease?
The severity of Schmallenberg disease varies among different species and ages of animal.
Acute clinical signs of the Schmallenberg virus are visible in adult cattle, however, adult sheep do not generally show signs of clinical disease.
The biggest problem with the virus is that it crosses the placenta and affects growing foetuses.
Clinical signs of Schmallenberg include:
- Abortions
- Stillbirths
- Foetal abnormalities
- Reduced milk yield
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of body condition
- Diarrhoea