Schmallenberg virus

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a virus of ruminants that emerged in Northern Europe in 2011. SBV is an arbovirus that spreads between mammalian hosts primarily by Culicoides biting midges. SBV infection causes a mild disease in adult cattle characterized by reduced milk production, fever and diarrhoea. However, SBV infection of susceptible pregnant animals can be associated with congental malformations or stillbirth in lambs and calves.

SBV belongs to the genus Orthobunyavirus within the Bunyaviridae, and is related to other viruses often associated with mutations in the unborn young of ruminants, especially in Asia, Africa and Oceania. Researchers in the CVR work on the interaction of the virus with the antiviral responses of the mammalian & insect host, and in developing new vaccine platforms for SBV and related viruses.

Contacts: Alain Kohl, Massimo Palmarini & Xiaonhong Shi

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Section through SBV infected spinal cord