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Large‐Scale Cross‐Sectional Serological Survey of S chmallenberg Virus in B elgian Cattle at the End of the First Vector Season
Author(s) -
Méroc E.,
Poskin A.,
Loo H.,
Quinet C.,
Driessche E.,
Delooz L.,
Behaeghel I.,
Riocreux F.,
Hooyberghs J.,
Regge N.,
Caij A. B.,
Berg T.,
Stede Y.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
transboundary and emerging diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.392
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1865-1682
pISSN - 1865-1674
DOI - 10.1111/tbed.12042
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , veterinary medicine , herd , serology , biology , herd immunity , population , virus , medicine , zoology , virology , antibody , vaccination , immunology , environmental health
Summary A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in the B elgian cattle population after the first period of infection of the emerging S chmallenberg virus. A total number of 11 635 cattle from 422 herds sampled between 2 J anuary and 7 M arch 2012 were tested for the presence of S chmallenberg‐specific antibodies using an ELISA kit. Between‐herd seroprevalence in cattle was estimated at 99.76% (95% CI : 98.34–99.97) and within‐herd seroprevalence at 86.3% (95% CI : 84.75–87.71). An I ntraclass C orrelation C oefficient of 0.3 ( P < 0.001) was found, indicating that the correlation between two animals within a herd with respect to their serological status was high. Those results corroborate the conclusion that the S chmallenberg virus was widespread in B elgium during winter 2011. Seroprevalence was shown to be statistically associated to the animal's age ( P < 0.0001): with 64.9% (95% CI : 61.34–68.3) estimated for the 6–12 months of age, 86.79% (95% CI : 84.43–88.85) for the 12–24 months of age and 94.4% (95% CI : 93.14–95.44) for the animals older than 24 months. Based on the results of the described serological survey, we can conclude that after the first S chmallenberg virus episode, almost every B elgian cattle has already been in contact with the virus. In consequence, the vast majority of the host animals should have developed post infection protective immunity against the virus.