Could 2021 be another Schmallenberg year?

In Scotland we have seen cases of congenital deformity in lambs and calves due to in utero Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection in 2013 and 2017.  There is a theory from other Orthobunyaviruses such as Akabane that they cycle within the population approximately every four years, potentially as a result of variations in herd or flock immunity and also depending on local midge activity.  With that in mind, could 2021 be another year where we see cases?

So far looking at blood samples received through the autumn of 2020 we have no conclusive serological evidence to suggest that SBV has been circulating.  However we can not rule this out with confidence. The early lambing sheep flocks lambing from now on provide the first opportunity to consider the potential impact of in utero SBV infection.  As the congenital deformities frequently lead to dystocia practitioners are very likely to see suspect cases, especially in high value pedigree sheep flocks. 

Foetal deformities have included:

• Arthrogryposis of varying severities
• Scoliosis/kyphosis
• Torticollis
• Small brains
• Cerebellar hypoplasia
• Hydranencephaly
• Narrowing of the spinal cord

• 8 cases were confirmed as being caused by in utero SBV infection
• 15 cases showed arthrogryposis or CNS pathology like SBV cases but the cause was consistent with either a genetic defect or exposure to a teratogen in utero and not SBV
• 8 cases showed pathology that was not consistent with SBV exposure

The main take home message here is that in many deformed calves and lambs that may look like suspect SBV cases, the deformity is actually as a result of something else and not SBV.  Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is therefore very important. For calves the most useful samples to collect are umbilical cord, amniotic fluid and spinal cord.  Testing foetal fluid/blood for SBV antibodies is also useful particularly as some calves are virus negative at birth. We only made a small number of diagnoses in lambs and brain proved a useful tissue to test.  Information in the literature suggests that umbilical cord, amniotic fluid and spinal cord will also be useful in lambs. 

Posted by Veterinary Services on 15/01/2021