Thursday, 16 February 2012 10:37

Schmallenburg risk ‘under control’

Written by 

MAF SAYS it has considered the risks associated with a new ruminant viral disease sweeping Europe and considers them "sufficiently managed."

Schmallenburg virus was late last month confirmed on four UK sheep farms and the British Veterinary Association is urging "heightened vigilance."

The disease causes congenital deformities and nervous defects in lambs, goat kids and calves. Clinical signs in affected cattle include fever, milk drop and diarrhoea.

Veronica Herrera, MAF director response, told Rural News, that while MAF doesn't test for Schmallenburg itself, it does test for similar viruses which show they are not present here, and consequently Schmallenburg isn't thought to be present in New Zealand.

Even if it were inadvertently imported in embryos or semen, it's likely what's thought to be insect transmission from animal to animal wouldn't occur here.

"MAF has assessed the risk associated with semen and embryo imports and found the risks associated with semen are negligible and the risks associated with embryos are very low.

Animal product imports are also considered to be negligible risk."

As it is, there have been no imports of sheep or goat embryos in recent years and MAF has contacted those who have imported bovine embryos in the past two years "to share information and ensure heightened vigilance."

"Importers have advised MAF that they have not observed suspect disease in recipient cows or resulting progeny."

There have been no imports from Europe of live animals of susceptible species in recent years.

BVA president Carl Padgett says confirmation of Schmallenberg virus in sheep flocks in England is a reminder to vets and farmers across the UK to step up vigilance.

"We understand that in confirmed cases clinical signs occur in clusters and vets should ensure they know what to look for in both adult and perinatal ruminants.

"While the cases in the south east of England suggest the virus is vector-borne, other potential routes of transmission are still being considered."

Meteorological modelling suggests that infection on the four farms occurred during summer/autumn 2011, with congenital defects now becoming visible at lambing time.

The risk of transmission to humans is believed to be very low but it has not been ruled out.

More like this

Papal visit

OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.

Farmer fury

OPINION: Farmer protests have swept Europe in recent weeks.

Heat wave

OPINION: The heat wave that hit Europe last week has forced a rethink among UK dairy farmers who normally graze their cows outdoors in summer.

Editorial: A good deal takes time

OPINION: When Trade and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor arrives back in the country in a few days' time, don't expect him to be waving around a piece of paper saying NZ has nailed free trade agreements (FTAs) with the UK and EU.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter