The Department of Agriculture’s Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs) have detected an uptick in the number of confirmed cases of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a midge-borne virus that can cause birth deformities in calves and lambs. One case in Tipperary involved a calf, while there were two outbreaks in sheep in Co. Wexford.
SBV was first detected in Ireland in 2012. It spread across Europe, carried by wind-borne infected midges. In Ireland, the impact of the disease was short-term, after immunity built up in cattle and sheep (through exposure and vaccination).
The Veterinary Laboratories wish to keep a close eye on any cases and request that any deformed calves or lambs to be submitted to the national laboratory network for testing. This is proposed to increase the surveillance for both Schmallenberg virus and the potentially more impactful Bluetongue Virus (BTV). Bluetongue has been detected in the UK and in Europe in the past year.
Bluetongue virus could come to Ireland through the wind-borne spread of infected midges, through the importation of infected animals or contaminated fomites or animal derived biological material (e.g. blood, semen).
Bluetongue can cause wide spectrum of clinical presentations, and it would risk causing significant animal welfare impacts as well as trade challenges if it became established in Ireland.
Both viruses can cause a wide variety of birth deformities, especially deformed limbs, spinal curvature, twisted necks, shortened lower jaw and domed skulls.
The Department is stressing that some of these birth deformities can make natural calving or lambing very difficult and farmers should be alert to an increased risk of these ill effects in this season.
