During summer and autumn 2011, a febrile syndrome was reported in adult dairy cows in Germany and the Netherlands, and a novel virus, subsequently named Schmallenberg virus (SBV), was discovered. This newly identified virus belongs to the Bunyaviridae family and the Orthobunyavirus genus and is the first representative of the Simbu serogroup detected in Europe. After its emergence in Northern Europe, SBV spread rapidly across the continent causing a large epidemic. The virus predominantly affects domestic and wild ruminants, and transplacental infection can lead to stillbirths and abortions or cause severe congenital malformations in calves, lambs and goat kids. SBV is an arbovirus transmitted by multiple species of Culicoides biting midges. Since its emergence, several molecular and serological tests have been developed to diagnose and monitor SBV disease and several vaccines have been tested successfully. The emergence of SBV is a reminder that new viral diseases can emerge in Europe and spread very rapidly among livestock.
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