Schmallenberg virus epidemic: Impact on milk production, reproductive performance and mortality in dairy cattle in the Netherlands and Kleve district, Germany

Veldhuis, Anouk; Santman-Berends, I.M.G.A.; Gethmann, Jörn; Mars, M.H.; Wuyckhuise, L. van; Vellema, P.; Holsteg, Mark; Höreth-Böntgen, Detlef; Conraths, Franz J.; Schaik, G. van

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.04.015

Cited by 35 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Consequently, many dairy producers do not perceive visitors as an important risk factor for introduction of infections (Young et al, 2010) and may be resistant to implementing appropriate biosecurity measures. In contrast, in western Europe, outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, Q-fever, FMD, bluetongue, and recently Schmallenberg virus, have highlighted the importance of biosecurity (Bouma et al, 2003;van Engelen et al, 2014;Veldhuis et al, 2014). Although implementation of on-farm biosecurity measures is still far from optimal on these farms (Sayers et al, 2013), it is now common practice on western European dairy farms, where the risk of transmission of infectious diseases (e.g., Schmallenberg virus) is high, that visitors are routinely provided with coveralls and boots (Sahlström et al, 2014;Sarrazin et al, 2014), a practice that is not prevalent on many North American dairy farms (USDA, 2010).…”

Section: Biosecuritymentioning

confidence: 99%

Invited review: Changes in the dairy industry affecting dairy cattle health and welfare

Barkema

Keyserlingk

Kastelic

et al. 2015

Journal of Dairy Science

427

298

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The dairy industry in the developed world has undergone profound changes over recent decades. In this paper, we present an overview of some of the most important recent changes in the dairy industry that affect health and welfare of dairy cows, as well as the science associated with these changes. Additionally, knowledge gaps are identified where research is needed to guide the dairy industry through changes that are occurring now or that we expect will occur in the future. The number of farms has decreased considerably, whereas herd size has increased. As a result, an increasing number of dairy farms depend on hired (nonfamily) labor. Regular professional communication and establishment of farm-specific protocols are essential to minimize human errors and ensure consistency of practices. Average milk production per cow has increased, partly because of improvements in nutrition and management but also because of genetic selection for milk production. Adoption of new technologies (e.g., automated calf feeders, cow activity monitors, and automated milking systems) is accelerating. However, utilization of the data and action lists that these systems generate for health and welfare of livestock is still largely unrealized, and more training of dairy farmers, their employees, and their advisors is necessary. Concurrently, to remain competitive and to preserve their social license to operate, farmers are increasingly required to adopt increased standards for food safety and biosecurity, become less reliant on the use of antimicrobials and hormones, and provide assurances regarding animal welfare. Partly because of increasing herd size but also in response to animal welfare regulations in some countries, the proportion of dairy herds housed in tiestalls has decreased considerably. Although in some countries access to pasture is regulated, in countries that traditionally practiced seasonal grazing, fewer farmers let their dairy cows graze in the summer. The proportion of organic dairy farms has increased globally and, given the pressure to decrease the use of antimicrobials and hormones, conventional farms may be able to learn from well-managed organic farms. The possibilities of using milk for disease diagnostics and monitoring are considerable, and dairy herd improvement associations will continue to expand the number of tests offered to diagnose diseases and pregnancy. Genetic and genomic selection for increased resistance to disease offers substantial potential but requires collection of additional phenotypic data. There is every expectation that changes in the dairy industry will be further accentuated and additional novel technologies and different management practices will be adopted in the future.

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Section: Biosecuritymentioning

confidence: 99%

Invited review: Changes in the dairy industry affecting dairy cattle health and welfare

Barkema

Keyserlingk

Kastelic

et al. 2015

Journal of Dairy Science

427

298

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“…At the end of the 2011–2012 vector‐active season, it became clear that the vectorborne virus had infected a fast majority of the naive ruminant population in north‐western Europe (reviewed in Afonso et al., ). Two years after its introduction, it is known that the impact of the virus on productivity in cattle is limited (Veldhuis et al., ) and immunity after natural exposure to SBV seems long‐lasting in cattle (Méroc et al., ; Elbers et al., ). However, the population of susceptible ruminants is expected to expand each year as a result of naive calves and lambs replacing immune adults.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two Years After the Schmallenberg Virus Epidemic in the Netherlands: Does the Virus still Circulate?

Veldhuis

Mars

Roos

et al. 2015

Transbound Emerg Dis

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Two years after the introduction of the Schmallenberg virus in north-western Europe, it is unknown whether the virus is still circulating in countries that were the first to be confronted with it. When the population-level immunity declines in Europe, reintroduction or the re-emergence of SBV in Europe might eventually result in an outbreak of similar magnitude of that seen in 2011-2012. The Netherlands was part of the primary outbreak region of SBV in 2011. The aim of this study was to determine whether SBV circulated amongst dairy herds in the Netherlands in 2013, and if so, to which extent. For this purpose, the presence of SBV-specific antibodies in naive cattle was investigated. A total of 394 dairy farms were sampled between October and December 2013 by collecting five serum samples per herd. Antibodies were detected in 1.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7-1.7)] of the animals. All seropositive animals were single reactors per herd and were at least 8 months old at sampling. As these results were inconclusive in demonstrating freedom of SBV circulation, a more in-depth investigation was initiated to provide more insight: an additional sample of 20 youngstock within the same age category (including the five initially sampled animals) was collected from 17 of the 21 positive herds and tested for SBV-specific antibodies. This resulted in 9 antibody-positive test results of 316 samples. Again, the positive samples were single reactors within the sample obtained from each farm, which is unlikely given the characteristics of SBV. Therefore, assuming the single reactors as false-positive, this survey showed with 95% confidence that the maximum possible prevalence of herds with SBV circulation in the Netherlands was <1% in 2013.

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“…Like BVDV, SBV uses a non-structural protein (in this case NSs) that degrades cellular RNA polymerase II, resulting in the inhibition of type I IFN production and an increase in virulence [117]. The impact of the 2011 epidemic on the productivity of dairy cattle in the Netherlands and parts of Germany was assessed at the herd level in a study by Veldhuis et al [118], who compared milk production, fertility, and mortality during the epidemic with those from an earlier reference period. In both countries, there was a small but demonstrable decline in fertility parameters during the epidemic, including a significant increase in the number of repeat inseminations required and a decrease of about 5% in the 56-day nonreturn rate (from 61.5% to 55.7%).…”

Section: Schmallenberg Virusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of Viral Disease in Dairy Cow Fertility

et al. 2020

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a b s t r a c tMany viral diseases are endemic in cattle populations worldwide. The ability of many viruses to cross the placenta and cause abortions and fetal malformations is well understood. There is also significant evidence that viral infections have additional actions in dairy cows, which are reflected in reduced conception rates. These effects are, however, highly dependent on the time at which an individual animal first contracts the disease and are less easy to quantify. This paper reviews the evidence relating to five viruses that can affect fertility, together with their potential mechanisms of action. Acute infection with non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in mid-gestation increases abortion rates or causes the birth of persistently infected calves. BVDV infections closer to the time of breeding can have direct effects on the ovaries and uterine endometrium, which cause estrous cycle irregularities and early embryo mortality. Fertility may also be reduced by BVDV-induced immunosuppression, which increases the susceptibility to bacterial infections. Bovine herpesvirus (BHV)-1 is most common in pre-pubertal heifers, and can slow their growth, delay breeding, and increase the age at first calving. Previously infected animals subsequently show reduced fertility. Although this may be associated with lung damage, ovarian lesions have also been reported. Both BHV-1 and BHV-4 remain latent in the host following initial infection and may be reactivated later by stress, for example associated with calving and early lactation. While BHV-4 infection alone may not reduce fertility, it appears to act as a co-factor with established bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes to promote the development of endometritis and delay uterine repair mechanisms after calving. Both Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) are transmitted by insect vectors and lead to increased abortion rates and congenital malformations. BTV-8 also impairs the development of hatched blastocysts; furthermore, infection around the time of breeding with either virus appears to reduce conception rates. Although the reductions in conception rates are often difficult to quantify, they are nevertheless sufficient to cause economic losses, which help to justify the benefits of vaccination and eradication schemes.

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Schmallenberg virus epidemic: Impact on milk production, reproductive performance and mortality in dairy cattle in the Netherlands and Kleve district, Germany

Cited by 35 publications

References 16 publications

Invited review: Changes in the dairy industry affecting dairy cattle health and welfare

Invited review: Changes in the dairy industry affecting dairy cattle health and welfare

Two Years After the Schmallenberg Virus Epidemic in the Netherlands: Does the Virus still Circulate?

Importance of Viral Disease in Dairy Cow Fertility

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