SBV transmission method confirmed
Belgian scientists at the Antwerp Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITG) and the Belgian Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (VAR) have proven the hypothesis that the Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) is transmitted by midges. The teams have announced their intention of publishing the findings of their research in due course.
SBV was found in three species of biting midge, specifically Culicoides dewulfi, Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides pulicaris, which are also known to transmit the Bluetongue Virus (BTV). All three are common to the UK and Culicoides obsoletus in particular is known to be prevalent on UK farms.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) recently began to state that they "cannot rule out the possibility that domestic (local) midges may have transmitted SBV within the affected areas" in light of the likelihood that domestic midges could have become infected themselves after biting already infected animals. A full breakdown of the known spread of SBV on UK territory is available here.
HMRC has invited feedback to its communications regarding the employment status of locum vets and vet nurses.
