Schmallenberg Identified For First Time
FINLAND – Schmallenberg has been identified in Finland for the first time in lambs by the Finnish Food Safety Authority, Evira.
15 January 2013
1 minute read
This news does not come as a shock, Evira have said. Antibody studies carried out by Evira shoed that, since summer and autumn 2012, the virus had become widespread in the country.
The virus was identified in lambs born at full term from the same flock in December. It is thought that the Ewes had been infected in late August or early September in the early stages of pregnancy.
The lambs had arthrogryposis of the limbs, either straight of flexed, and hydrocephalus, which are typical deformities caused by the Schmallenberg virus.
Calves born in the period between March and May are most likely to be affected due to midge activity, according to Evira.
It is not known at present whether or not the virus is capable of overwintering in Finland. It is likely that midges carrying the virus will continue to arrive in Finland carried by southerly and south-westerly winds.
TheCattleSite News Desk
