Schmallenberg disease

SBV is a novel Orthobunyavirus that emerged in Europe in 2011 . The virus was found in malformed lambs, kids and calves, and in dairy cattle with fever, diarrhoea and reduced milk yield. Like the genetically related viruses of the Simbu serogroup, SBV affects ruminants. Infection of cattle, sheep, goats, roe deer, mouflon and bison has been confirmed. Several types of vaccines against SBV have been developed (modified live vaccines, vector vaccines, subunit vaccines and inactivated vaccines), and inactivated vaccines are authorised in Europe.

Bunyaviruses vary in their capability to infect humans. Specific risk assessments should be carried out to determine both the biosafety and biocontainment measures required for handling infective materials in the laboratory.