Scottish farm leaders are urging those with early lambing flocks and autumn calving herd to consult their vets regarding Schmallenberg infection.
This follows news that farms as far north as Aberdeenshire have now been hit by the viral disease which causes congenital disorders in lambs and calves.
NFU Scotland president Nigel Millar noted: “Experience south of Hadrian’s Wall and across continental Europe suggests the spike in viral activity is still to come with recent warm weather storing up problems for later this winter as the Schmallenberg virus is carried by midges.
“Vaccination before ewes and cows become pregnant is an option all farmers should consider as the disease continues to spread across the British Isles.”
Expected
Experts at the Moredun Research Institute and SAC Veterinary Services Inverness have also warned, following the disease’s appearance as far north as Aberdeenshire, that further cases are expected.
Every county in England and Wales plus most districts in lowland Scotland have already had farm businesses badly hit by outbreaks of disease associated with Schmallenberg infection.
Pressure
The news from Scotland puts further pressure on farmers in Ulster to discuss the threat of Schmallenberg virus with their local veterinary practice. This costly disease has caused significant losses over this past year in the IrishRepublic from Cork up the east coast into Co Louth.
Samples
Schmallenberg virus was first identified in Co Down last October and a survey of over 2400 cattle blood samples throughout NI earlier this summer found that most counties in NI had already been exposed to the virus. It is feared that the weather conditions this summer is facilitating the spread of this costly virus throughout the province.
(Source – Farming Life – 09/09/2013)