A survey to determine the farm level impact of Schmallenberg virus during the 2016-17 UK lambing season

Stokes, Jessica Eleanor; Tarlinton, Rachael Eugenie; Lovatt, Fiona; Baylis, Matthew; Carson, Amanda; Duncan, Jennifer Sarah

Abstract

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) causes abortions, still births and fetal malformations in naive ruminants. The impact of the initial outbreak (2011/2012) on British sheep farms has been previously investigated, with higher farmer perceived impacts and increased lamb and ewe mortality reported on SBV affected farms. After several years of low, or no, circulation the UK sheep flock once again became vulnerable to SBV infection. Re-emergence was confirmed in autumn 2016. This study reports the analysis of a questionnaire designed to determine the farm level impact of SBV on the 2016/2017 UK lambing period. Higher neonatal lamb mortality, dystocia and associated ewe deaths, and higher perceived impacts on sheep welfare, flock financial performance and farmer emotional wellness were reported on SBV confirmed (n=59) and SBV suspected (n=82), than SBV not suspected (n= 74) farms. Additionally, although few farmers (20.4%) reported previously vaccinating against SBV, the majority (78.3%) stated they would vaccinate if purchasing at

Citation

Stokes, J. E., Tarlinton, R. E., Lovatt, F., Baylis, M., Carson, A., & Duncan, J. S. (2018). A survey to determine the farm level impact of Schmallenberg virus during the 2016-17 UK lambing season. Veterinary Record, https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104866

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 26, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Sep 26, 2018
• Publication Date: Sep 26, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 17, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 1, 2018
• Print ISSN: 0042-4900
• Electronic ISSN: 2042-7670
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104866
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1077465
• Publisher URL: https://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/early/2018/09/26/vr.104866
• Contract Date: Oct 1, 2018