Detection of Schmallenberg virus in cattle imported into the Russian Federation

Schmallenberg disease, a transmissive vector-borne arbovirus infection affecting cattle, sheep and goats of all age groups, which may lead to significant economic losses. In the Russian Federation, specific antibodies against the causative agent of Schmallenberg disease were first detected in April 2013 and 2014 in the Andreapolsky and Konakovsky districts of the Tver region. In October 2014, specific antibodies were detected in cattle blood in one of the farms of the Novosokolnichesky district of the Pskov region. In this study we provide an overview of the serological and molecular surveillance for Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the Russian Federation in 2014-2016. Testing of serum samples from cattle born and raised in regions sharing border with previously affected EU countries demonstrated seroconvertion in sentinel animals. The current findings raise concerns with regard to a possible SBV distribution and circulation in Russian cattle. We for the first time report the detection and isolation of SBV in cattle imported into Russia from EU. The virus was isolated on Vero cells and sequenced. The S gene sequence analysis showed 100 % identity of the recovered SBV strain to those isolated in Northern Europe in 2012.