Epidemiological update: Schmallenberg virus isolated from ruminants in the European Union, potential implications for human health

The disease causes transient clinical symptoms in adult cattle (fever, diarrhoea, reduced milk yield, etc.) and congenital malformation in newborn animals.

The information available on the Schmallenberg virus genome suggests that this virus is part of the Simbu serogroup of the Bunyaviridae family, genus Orthobunyavirus. Simbu serogroup viruses are primarily transmitted by insect vectors (midges, mosquitoes) with no direct transmission from animal to animal.

Preliminary assessments of the impact of the virus on human health  suggest that it is unlikely that the virus can cause disease in humans. Current available epidemiological information confirms this assessment. To date, people who have been in close contact with infected animals (e.g. animal workers, farmers and veterinarians) have not reported any unusual disease.

Investigations and research projects are ongoing in the affected countries to better understand the epidemiological and the microbiological aspects of this outbreak among ruminants.

Public health authorities in the EU Member States have been alerted about this outbreak in ruminant. The animal and human health authorities, both at national and EU levels, are closely collaborating to ensure rapid detection of any change in the epidemiology in animals and humans, particularly among people who have close contact with infected animals.

ECDC's risk assessment 'New Orthobunyavirus isolated from infected cattle and small livestock ─ potential implications for human health', 22 December 2011

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): 

• EFSA requested to support EU with work on Schmallenberg virus
• Technical report: Schmallenberg" virus: likely epidemiological scenarios and data needs