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Since November 2011, the so-called Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has been reported in cattle, sheep and goats in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, Italy and now Spain. The Dutch Central Veterinary Institute found anti-SBV antibodies in 70 percent of samples taken from Dutch cattle between 1 November 2011 and 1 February 2012. This indicates widespread infection and an underestimation of total cases of infection with the virus.

The ECDC communicable disease threats report is a weekly bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control.