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<p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are continually assessing the spread
of Schmallenberg virus (SBV). Principally, APHA are analysing laboratory results from
cattle and sheep samples submitted to the network of APHA Veterinary Investigation
Centres and non-APHA partner post-mortem examination providers. This information is
published, and updated fortnightly, on the APHA Vet Gateway website.</p><p> </p><p>A
summary of this information can be seen in the tables below.</p><p> </p><p>The total
number of SBV-affected sheep flocks that have been diagnosed by APHA in England and
Wales during winter 2016/17. There have been no recorded cases in Scotland to date.</p><p>
</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Country</p></td><td><p>December 2016</p></td><td><p>January
2017</p></td><td><p>February 2017 (up to 22nd)</p></td><td><p>Total</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>England</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td><p>41</p></td><td><p>13</p></td><td><p>61</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wales</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>8</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>51</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>15</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>75</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Source:
APHA</p><p> </p><p>The total number of SBV-affected cattle herds flocks that have
been diagnosed by APHA in England during winter 2016/17. There have been no recorded
cases in Wales and Scotland to date.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Country</p></td><td><p>December
2016</p></td><td><p>January 2017</p></td><td><p>February 2017 (up to 22nd)</p></td><td><p>Total</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>England</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>0</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Source:
APHA</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>APHA are continually working with both industry and the
veterinary profession in Great Britain to improve the evidence base to help further
assess the spread of SBV. The sheep and cattle sectors are using media channels to
raise awareness of the disease to encourage farmers to discuss suspect SBV cases with
their vet. APHA are supporting any subsequent testing.</p><p> </p><p>In addition,
APHA’s Cattle Expert Group and Small Ruminant Expert Group are working with their
sectors and counterparts in other European countries, who have also seen a rise in
cases, to gather, share and analyse information, including any early warning clinical
signs.</p>
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