Schmallenberg Disease—A Newly Emerged Culicoides-Borne Viral Disease of Ruminants

Abstract

First appearing in 2011 in Northern Europe, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), an Orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup, is associated with clinical disease mainly in ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats. The clinical signs are characterized by abortion and congenital deformities in newborns. The virus is transmitted by Culicoides midges of the Obsoletus complex. SBV infection induces a solid protective immunity that persists for at least 4 or 6 years in sheep and cattle, respectively. SBV infection can be diagnosed directly by real-time RT-qPCR and virus isolation or indirectly by serological assays. Three vaccines are commercially available in Europe. This article provides a comprehensive literature review on this emerging disease regarding pathogenesis, transmission, diagnosis, control and prevention. This review also highlights that although much has been learned since SBV’s first emergence, there are still areas that require further study to devise better mitigation strategies.

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“…SBV infects ruminants and causes hyperthermia and diarrhea and decreases milk supply. Symptoms of the infection include, but are not limited to, abortions and congenital anomalies such as hydranencephaly, scoliosis, brachygnathia, hydrocephalus, and arthrogryposis [ 122 , 123 , 124 ].…”

Sexual Transmission of Arboviruses: A Systematic Review

“…The family Peribunyaviridae contains four genera, the largest being the genus Orthobunyavirus which includes Schmallenberg virus (SBV), Akabane virus (AKAV) and Aino virus (AINOV), three Culicoides-transmitted viruses that cause pregnancy loss and congenital defects in ruminant livestock [33,34]. Infectious SBV has been isolated from the semen of naturally infected bulls [35,36].…”

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