Seroprevalence of Schmallenberg virus antibodies among dairy cattle, the Netherlands, winter 2011-2012

Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Jul;18(7):1065-71. doi: 10.3201/eid1807.120323.

Abstract

Infections with Schmallenberg virus (SBV) are associated with congenital malformations in ruminants. Because reporting of suspected cases only could underestimate the true rate of infection, we conducted a seroprevalence study in the Netherlands to detect past exposure to SBV among dairy cattle. A total of 1,123 serum samples collected from cattle during November 2011-January 2012 were tested for antibodies against SBV by using a virus neutralization test; seroprevalence was 72.5%. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in the central-eastern part of the Netherlands than in the northern and southern regions (p<0.001). In addition, high (70%-100%) within-herd seroprevalence was observed in 2 SBV-infected dairy herds and 2 SBV-infected sheep herds. No significant differences were found in age-specific prevalence of antibodies against SBV, which is an indication that SBV is newly arrived in the country.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / virology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cattle Diseases / virology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / veterinary*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / virology
  • Dairying
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Orthobunyavirus / immunology*
  • Seasons
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral