Seroprevalance of Schmallenberg virus and its relationship with some geographical features in sheep reared in Kirikkale

Abstract

A virus, which effects ruminants, was firstly described in 2011 in Europe. There are limited information about this virus called Schmallenberg in Turkey. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalance of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), which may cause major economic losses to sheep, and the association between seroprevalance and some geographical features (e.g. altitude, near a large water source) because of transmission by Culicoides spp. Blood samples from 1038 animals (969 ewes, 69 rams) in 38 flocks were collected and evaluated with a commercial ELISA kit in terms of specific antibody for SBV in centrum and eight towns of Kirikkale, where the altitudes ranges from 684 to 1219 meters. Age groups of the animals were determined as >= 2 - <4 (n= 517), >= 4 - <6 (n= 474) and >= 6 (n= 47) years old. The samples of Schmallenberg virus specific antibody detected as positive and suspected were 0.38% (4/1038) and 0.57% (6/1038), respectively. One out of four Schmallenberg virus specific antibody positive animals was ram, the others were ewes. On the other hand, one out of six Schmallenberg virus specific antibody suspected animals was ram, the others were ewes. The flocks of the animals with the virus specific antibody positive and suspected animals were not in places with the certain altitudes and the half of those flocks were not close to large water sources. Due to the limited numbers of animals with the virus specific antibody positive, no statistical analysis were performed to see the association between the seroprevalance of the virus and gender, age of the animals and the geographical features of the places. This study that is first investigation about Schmallenberg virus seroprevalence in sheep in Kirikkale, showed the presence of the virus specific antibody. It was also thought that this virus should be considered as the cause of abortion and malformed births in flocks.