The Schmallenberg is a new, emerging livestock disease that is associated with a number of diseases in sheep, goats and cattle. It was first identified last year in a German town by the same name, but cases have also been seen in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) say that the Schmallenberg virus is similar to some other animal disease pathogens, such as Akabane and Shamonda viruses, which are transmitted by midges, mosquitoes and ticks.
So what does it do? The Schmallenberg virus causes episodes of mild to moderate disease in cattle, including milk drop, pyrexia and diarrhoea, as well as late abortion or birth defects in lambs, newborn cattle and goats. However, as of yet farmers are not required to notify the authorities if they see a case of Schmallenberg virus. They are asked to contact a vet, on the other hand, if they encounter any cases.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control say that at his stage they cannot exclude the possibility that this new orthobunyavirus can cause disease in humans, but it is very unlikely that your wellbeing is actually at risk. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) current evidence indicates that the risk to human health is low on the basis that viruses closely related to this one have not been shown to be transmissible to people. The FSA do allow, however, that this is a novel virus there are still many unknowns.
Further tests in domestic animals and humans are needed before more information will become available, and so the FSA, together with Defra and the Health Standards Agency, is keeping the issue under review as new information emerges. In the meantime, it is recommended that you follow usual food hygiene precautions when handling, preparing and cooking all foods to avoid the risk of harmful microorganisms.