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This is a virus of the family [[:Category:Pestiviruses|Pestivirus]] and occurs in sheep and goats. The disease was first reported on the Welsh Borders, hence the name. It is now prevalent in the UK, Europe and America. The virus can cause a significant problem in flocks of sheep by reducing the percentage of lambs that survive dramatically, hence having a large economic impact on farmers.  

This is a virus of the family [[:Category:Pestiviruses|Pestivirus]] and occurs in sheep and goats. The disease was first reported on the Welsh Borders, hence the name. It is now prevalent in the UK, Europe and America. The virus can cause a significant problem in flocks of sheep by reducing the percentage of lambs that survive dramatically, hence having a large economic impact on farmers.  

The virus has a tropism for foetal lymphoid tissue, hair follicles, and the central nervous system (CNS) and causes abortion in affected animals or the birth of weak lambs. 'Hairy shaker lambs' are born with hair and not wool and the disease can also be associated with cerebellar hypoplasia. If the sheep or goat is infected in the mid-third of gestation then immunotolerant lambs will be born and no clinical signs will be apparent.  

The virus has a tropism for foetal lymphoid tissue, hair follicles, and the central nervous system (CNS) and causes abortion in affected animals or the birth of weak lambs. ''''Hairy shaker lambs'''' are born with hair and not wool and the disease can also be associated with cerebellar hypoplasia. If the sheep or goat is infected in the mid-third of gestation then immunotolerant lambs will be born and no clinical signs will be apparent.

 

== Clinical Signs  ==

== Clinical Signs  ==