Lack of evidence for zoonotic transmission of schmallenberg virus

C. Reusken, C. van den Wijngaard, M. Beer, R. Bouwstra, G.J. Godeke, L. Isken, H. van den Kerkhof, W. van Pelt, W.H. van der Poel, J. Reimerink, P. Schielen, J. Schmidt-Chanasit, P. Vellema, A. de Vries, I.M. Wouters, M. Koopmans

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    The emergence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel orthobunyavirus, in ruminants in Europe triggered a joint veterinary and public health response to address the possible consequences to human health. Use of a risk profiling algorithm enabled the conclusion that the risk for zoonotic transmission of SBV could not be excluded completely. Self-reported health problems were monitored, and a serologic study was initiated among persons living and/or working on SBV-affected farms. In the study set-up, we addressed the vector and direct transmission routes for putative zoonotic transfer. In total, 69 sheep farms, 4 goat farms, and 50 cattle farms were included. No evidence for SBV-neutralizing antibodies was found in serum of 301 participants. The lack of evidence for zoonotic transmission from either syndromic illness monitoring or serologic testing of presumably highly exposed persons suggests that the public health risk for SBV, given the current situation, is absent or extremely low.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1746-1754
    Number of pages9
    JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases
    Volume18
    Issue number11
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

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