“Real” risk of Schmallenberg spreading to Luxembourg

There is a real risk that a virus affecting livestock could be transmitted to animals in Luxembourg.

The Schmallenberg virus was detected last year in sheep herds in Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium.

While no cases have been detected in Luxembourg yet, agricultural minister Romain Schneider said that because of Luxembourg's geographical position, he could not rule out future contamination.

“Given the extent of the disease to all our neighbouring countries, the risk that the virus will be detected in Luxembourg in the future is real. At the same time, it should be specified that the disease was at its most acute from August to October 2011,” he said.

The Schmallenberg virus affects sheep, goats and cattle and is transmitted by insects. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea and decreased milk production. It can also result in deformations to newborns if an animal is pregnant during the acute phase of the disease. It cannot be passed from animals to humans.

The minister was responding to a parliamentary question from deputy Lucien Clement. Mr Schneider added that there did not currently exist a reliable vaccine but that research was underway to develop a vaccine.