Epizootic spread of Schmallenberg virus among wild cervids, Belgium, Fall 2011

Abstract

Schmallenberg virus was detected in cattle and sheep in northwestern Europe in 2011. To determine whether wild ruminants are also susceptible, we measured antibody seroprevalence in cervids (roe deer and red deer) in Belgium in 2010 and 2011. Findings indicated rapid spread among these deer since virus emergence ≈250 km away.

Figure 1

Location of 4 provinces in southeast Belgium (shaded) where 524 wild cervids (313 red deer and 211 roe deer) were killed during hunting seasons 2010 and 2011 and sampled. Seroprevelance for Schmallenberg virus is shown for each of the 225 deer killed in 2011. Source: Institut Géographique National, Brussels, Belgium, 2001.

Figure 2

Frequency distribution of the results yielded by indirect ELISA for detecting IgG targeting recombinant nucleoprotein of emerging Schmallenberg virus in serum samples collected from 116 red deer and 109 roe deer in southeast Belgium during the fall of 2011. Results are expressed as percentages of the reference signal yielded by the positive control serum. Serologic status is defined as negative (<60%), doubtful (60%–70%), or positive (>70%).