Schmallenberg likely to spread in 2013
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published an updated analysis of data that has been collected on the Schmallenberg virus (SBV).
Epidemiological SBV data shows that the virus is continuing to spread to new areas of Europe and is likely to hit the continent's southern and eastern regions in 2013, according to the authority.
EFSA has confirmed that the number of herds affected by the virus per region is low, with the maximum affected sheep herds in any region at 6.6 per cent and 4 per cent for cattle herds.
The analysis covers the last year, since SBV first emerged in the second half of 2011, and notes those countries that have reported infection since EFSA's last analysis in May 2012.
Eight EU member states had reported cases of SBV by May this year, whereas, approximately 6,000 holdings of 14 countries had reported the virus by the end of October, the authority has said.
These newly infected countries include Denmark, Finland, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland. New regions of previously infected countries were also reported this summer - including in the UK.
EFSA says that the number of countries reporting acute cases in adult animals is limited, and it is likely that adult cases are not being diagnosed because of the transitory and non-specific nature of the clinical signs involved.
The authority adds that an increase in the number of cases showing signs of arthrogryposis hydranencephaly syndrome is likely to occur in the coming months as the result of infection from previously unexposed animals during the susceptible period of gestation.
A total of 715 premises had confirmed cases of the virus in Great Britain as of November 30, according to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA).
Click here to view EFSA's epidemiological analysis.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
