英國無藥可治引致畸形的新病毒殺害數千羔羊

URGENT - New Virus Deforming, Killing Thousands Of Lambs
快訊 - 引致畸形的新病毒殺害數千羔羊
2012-02-18

無藥可治的病毒殺害數千羔羊
Incurable Virus Killing Thousands Of Lambs
By (c) Sky News 2012 |
Sky News –
Sat, Feb 18, 2012 13:23 GMT

A new virus is causing lambs to be born with deformities so severe that they die within seconds.
一種新病毒造成羔羊出生時畸形，嚴重至牠們在幾秒內死亡。
It is thought midges brought the Schmallenberg virus to Britain from continental Europe (Chicago Options: ^REURUSD - news) last autumn.
它被認為是去年秋天從歐洲大陸的蠓帶來英國的Schmallenberg病毒（芝加哥期權：^ REURUSD - 新聞）。
The foetuses of newly-pregnant ewes bitten by the insects often fail to develop properly.

At Mayfield Farm near Mildenhall in Suffolk, 75 of the 1,700 lambs born so far this year were affected.

"In a ewe that was carrying twins, she would have a job lambing it. You would have to pull it out," said farmer Clive Sleightholme.

"The legs were fused together and tucked underneath, its head was angular, not formed properly.

"They had undershot jaws and they weren't fleshed out properly but nearly every one was alive when it was pulled out but only lived seconds up to a minute."

The Schmallenberg virus, which is not thought to cause risk to humans, was first identified in Germany in November (Stuttgart: A0Z24E - news) . There have also been cases in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Vet Toby Kemble has already seen deformed lambs at eight out of 10 sheep farms he has been to in north Norfolk this year.

"It's concerning for the farmer, from their point of view they are losing lambs and losing productivity but it's very upsetting seeing the lambs," he said.

So far the majority of confirmed cases have been in Suffolk and Norfolk. But farms in Kent, East Sussex, Essex and Hertfordshire have also been affected.

And in West Sussex the virus has been found not just in sheep but also cattle. Most lambs and calves are born in the spring so for many farmers it is a waiting game.

"It's a new virus so we just don't know what's going to happen," said Mr Kemble.

"It may be we have seen the peak already but what we may be seeing is the tip of the iceberg and it's just going to get worse and worse."

Farmers do not even have to tell the authorities although they are advised to provide samples. At one farm, a quarter of all lambs were affected.

With healthy animals selling for £100 each it means a serious financial impact.

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/incurable-virus-killing-thousands-lambs-054802480.html

大規模動物暴斃：禽畜死亡之謎？！