Akabane virus is an
insect-transmitted virus that causes congenital abnormalities of the central nervous systems in
ruminant
Ruminants are herbivorous grazing or browsing artiodactyls belonging to the suborder Ruminantia that are able to acquire nutrients from plant-based food by fermenting it in a specialized stomach prior to digestion, principally through microb ...
s. The virus is found in Australia, where it is most commonly spread by biting midges of the ''
Culicoides'' species.
Disease
Malformation of the joints, brain, spine and jaw are common in affected newborn animals. Abortion may also occur if damage to the fetus is severe.
[Akabane Virus](_blank)
reviewed and published by WikiVet, accessed 10 October 2011.
Diagnosis and treatment
Viral isolation can be attempted with
immunofluorescence or
PCR.
Vaccination is used to control the spread of disease. Control of the insect vectors is advisable if possible, but often difficult to implement.
Outbreaks
A European outbreak of a novel orthobunyavirus began in 2011. The virus was initially isolated near
Schmallenberg
Schmallenberg (; ) is a town and a Luftkurort, climatic health resort in the Hochsauerlandkreis, High Sauerland District, Germany. By area, it is the :de:Liste der 100 flächengrößten Städte und Gemeinden Deutschlands, third biggest of all cit ...
in
Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
, and has been informally named
Schmallenberg virus. Schmallenberg virus falls in the Simbu serogroup of orthobunyaviruses, in which the aino and akabane viruses are also grouped. It is considered to be most closely related to the
Sathuperi and
Douglas viruses.
References
External links
Merck veterinary manual*Couch A.J. (1984
Akabane Virus Australian
Red Poll Society Newsletter 92: 22–23
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akabane Virus
Orthobunyaviruses
Bovine diseases
Sheep and goat diseases