A pen side test for Schmallenberg virus exposure in sheep and cattle.

自2011年出现以来，Schmallenberg病毒（SBV）已蔓延到欧洲大陆的大部分地区。该病毒在成年绵羊和牛中引起轻度疾病（发烧、产奶量减少和腹泻）。然而，如果动物在怀孕期间被感染，其后代可能会有严重的畸形。SBV是通过蚊虫叮咬传播的，因此很难控制。SBV的经济影响是显著的，一些养羊户损失了30%以上的羔羊，奶农也损失了牛奶产量。随着疫苗在不久的将来推出，控制SBV成为可能，但农民将不得不作出经济决定，是否接种疫苗的成本超过他们正在经历的损失。该项目将侧重于开发成本效益高的测试，可供农民或兽医使用，以确定动物是否可能受到保护免受感染。这些信息可用于决定是否需要对部分或全部牛群或羊群进行疫苗接种。这些测试也将有助于在进行更昂贵的尸检之前确认SBV是否对任何畸形的后代负责。该项目还将提供关于SBV的哪些部分刺激强烈免疫反应的信息。这对于开发精制疫苗和诊断测试至关重要。这些工具将允许由于接种而具有抗体的动物与已感染SBV的动物区分开。这些信息对于牲畜出口商重新进入因SBV而实施贸易禁令的欧盟以外市场至关重要。它还将允许监测尽管使用了疫苗但是否仍发生感染。

Since its emergence in 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has spread across most of the European continent. The virus causes a mild disease in adult sheep and cattle (fever, reduced milk yield and diarrhoea). However if an animal is infected during pregnancy, resultant offspring can have severe deformities. SBV is spread by biting midges making efforts to control it very difficult. The economic impact of SBV has been significant with some sheep farmers losing more than 30% of their lambs as well as lost milk production for dairy farmers. With a vaccine launch in the near future, control of SBV becomes possible, however farmers will have to make an economic decision as to whether the cost of vaccination outweighs the losses they are experiencing. This project will focus on developing cost-effective tests that can be used by farmers or vets to see whether animals are likely to be protected against infection. This information can be used to decide whether or not vaccination of some or all of the herd or flock is necessary. The tests will also be useful for confirming whether SBV is responsible for any deformed offspring before embarking on more expensive post mortem tests. This project will also produce information as to which parts of SBV stimulate a strong immune response. This is essential for developing refined vaccines and diagnostic tests. These tools will allow animals that have antibodies as a result of vaccination to be distinguished from animals that have been infected with SBV. This information will be vital for livestock exporters to regain access to markets outside of the EU that have implemented trade bans due to SBV. It will also allow monitoring of whether infection is occurring despite the use of vaccines.