Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice the Health Protection Agency has issued to farmers on minimising risks to human health from Schmallenberg virus.
Answer
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has produced a factsheet for farmers, farm workers, veterinary staff or those handling or transporting fallen stock who have been exposed to either a confirmed or suspected animal case of Schmallenberg virus (SBV). The factsheet is given to them by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency when suspected or confirmed SBV cases are reported on their farm. The factsheet explains that though this new virus causes disease in animals it has not been known to cause disease in humans and it is considered unlikely that this virus is zoonotic. Nevertheless, as this is a new virus, anyone who might have been exposed, to animals infected with SBV and who develops a fever (=38°C) within two weeks after contact with malformed animals or their birth products is advised to contact their local Health Protection Unit (HPU) as a precautionary, measure. The HPU would then liaise with their general practitioner to take a blood sample.The factsheet also gives advice on reducing the risk of this and other infections by regular hand washing and handling afterbirths and aborted animals with caution, and reminds them that pregnant women should continue to follow published routine advice to avoid close contact with animals (including sheep, cows and goats) that are giving birth.The HPA and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have published more detailed information about SBV on their respective websites:"www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/EmergingInfections/SchmallenbergVirus/""www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/02/2-march-schmallenberg-virus-further-updates-on-gb-testing-results/"