April 23, 2013

Due to the recurrence of Schmallenberg virus, Belarus has suspended import of beef cattle, sheep and goat from Denmark, according to the veterinary and food supervision department of the Agriculture and Food Ministry of Belarus.

The decision was made in connection with the re-emergence of Schmallenberg virus infection in Denmark (Zealand Island). In this regard, Belarus' veterinary authorities have suspended the imports and transit through its territory of cattle and small ruminants from Denmark.

The recently detected virus provisionally named "Schmallenberg" (SBV) virus (Simbu serogroup, Bunyaviridae family, genus Orthobunyavirus) is found in ruminants. Clinical signs in adults are mainly mild or non-existent, but transient fever, loss of appetite, a reduction in milk yield and diarrhoea have been observed in association with the infection. The major clinical sign of SBV is congenital malformations in new born animals similar to those observed in infections by Akabane virus. Current knowledge suggests that it is unlikely that SBV can cause disease in humans.