European farmers warned of virus affecting sheep, cattle and goats

Farmers have been warned to be on the look-out for a new virus affecting mainly sheep, but also cattle and goats across Europe.

While the virus is unlikely to affect humans, anybody in close contact with infected animals should also be careful in case the virus evolves, the European Food Safety Authority says.

Known as the Smallenberg virus after the German town where it was first identified, it causes sheep to abort or to give birth to deformed young, while cattle can suffer fever, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and low milk yield for up to a week.

It has spread rapidly since first reported in Germany and the Netherlands in November and a number of cases were recently confirmed in Britain.

Germany has been hit worst so far, with animals on 342 farms affected, the vast majority of them sheep. It is followed by the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness said that, so far, no cases have been reported in Ireland.

“There is a need for vigilance on the new animal virus that is now too close for comfort,” she said.

The EFSA issued a preliminary analysis of the virus that says it is part of the Simbu serogroup of viruses spread by biting midges.

Animals may possibly infect one another, but this is not yet certain. Its spread may be similar to Bluetongue.

So far, farmers are not obliged to notify the authorities if their animals are suffering from the virus and as a result its full extent is not known.

Dutch farmers must report birth deformities and Germany is pushing for it to become notifiable across the EU, which could lead to restrictions on livestock movements.

The symptoms, especially in cattle, can be slight and be attributed to other ailments. In sheep, it may not be obvious until they abort or give birth to deformed lambs.

The EFSA will collaborate with EU states to collect data in the coming months and provide an overview of the situation in Europe, and will regularly share reports on the data collected.

The report from the EFSA of the virus of the orthobunyavus family, says that similar virus have not caused disease to humans.

“It is unlikely that this virus would cause disease in humans, but it cannot be excluded at this stage.

“Close collaboration between animal and human health services is necessary to ensure rapid detection of any change of the epidemiology in animals and humans.

“In particular, the health of farmers and veterinarians in close contact with potentially infected animals should be carefully monitored.”

Russia and Mexico banned imports of sheep and goat meat and animals from the Netherlands last month and other countries may follow.

The virus is to be discussed at a meeting of the EU’s standing committee on the food chain and animal health in Brussels next week. The IFA has said farmers should be careful when purchasing animals.