Premium
Serological Screening Suggests Presence of Schmallenberg Virus in Cattle, Sheep and Goat in the Zambezia Province, Mozambique
Author(s) -
Blomström A.L.,
Stenberg H.,
Scharin I.,
Figueiredo J.,
Nhambirre O.,
Abilio A. P.,
Fafetine J.,
Berg M.
Publication year - 2014
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.12234
Subject(s) - serology , biology , veterinary medicine , virology , medicine , immunology , antibody
Summary Schmallenberg virus ( SBV ) is a novel Orthobunyavirus within the family Bunyaviridae belonging to the S imbu serogroup. Schmallenberg virus infects ruminants and has since its discovery in the autumn 2011 been detected/spread to large parts of E urope. Most bunyaviruses are arboviruses, and SBV has been detected in biting midges in different E uropean countries, suggesting that they may play a role in the transmission of the virus. It is not known how SBV was introduced to E urope and if SBV is present in countries outside of E urope. Thus, in this study, we conducted a serological screening for SBV antibodies in cattle (no. 79), sheep (no. 145) and goat (no. 141) in the Z ambezia Province in M ozambique during S eptember 2013. The results show a high percentage of antibody‐positive animals. All farms tested had seropositive animals; cattle displayed the highest prevalence with 100% positive animals. Sheep and goat also displayed high number of positive animals with a 43–97% and 72–100% within‐herd seroprevalence, respectively. This initial serological screening suggests that SBV is present on the African continent. However, cross‐reactivity with other members of the S imbu serogroup cannot be ruled out, and further studies are needed to identify and characterize the virus responsible for the antibody‐positive results.