Abstract
Blood samples were collected opportunistically at routine post mortem examination from 199 sheep which came from 152 flocks. The location of each submitting flock was mapped. Sera were tested using a goose blood haemagglutination inhibition assay for louping ill virus. There was an animal level prevalence of 8.5%, and a flock level prevalence of 9.8%. The greatest proportion of seropositive animals was identified among the animals older than 24 months of age. The elevation of the land associated with positive flocks was greater than that of negative flocks. Lesions of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis were observed in three of the 199 animals.
Highlights
Louping ill is a tick borne viral infection which predominately affects sheep causing neurological disease
The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of exposure to louping ill virus among carcasses submitted for routine post mortem examination to Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory, in the North West of Ireland
Blood samples were collected from 199 sheep from 152 flocks, which had been submitted to Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory (RVL) during 2011
Summary
Louping ill is a tick borne viral infection which predominately affects sheep causing neurological disease. Louping ill may affect goats and cattle. The condition has been reported in humans and is classified as a zoonosis [1]. Louping ill is caused by louping ill virus which is a flavivirus [1]. The name 'louping-ill' is derived from an old Scottish word describing the effect of the disease in sheep whereby they 'loup' or spring into the air. The disease is associated with sudden death. Concurrent tick borne fever infection (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) is thought to amplify the effect of the louping ill virus [4]. The condition is transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus, and its prevalence is closely associated with the distribution of this vector [5]. There is a seasonal occurrence in the spring and autumn, coinciding
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