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Hosts
- Sheep
- Goats
Pathogenesis
- Tropism: fetal lymphoid tissue, hair follicles, and CNS
- Causes abortion or weak lambs
- Hairy shaker lambs: born with hair instead of wool
- Immunotolerant status when exposed in mid-third of gestation
- Also associated with cerebellar hypoplasia
Epidemiology
- Can cause significant problems to a flock
- First reported on Welsh borders
Diagnosis
- Clinical: abortion and hairy shaker lambs
- Confirmation by serology: ELISA for virus antigen
Control
- No UK vaccine
- Vaccines available in USA and Europe
- Blood testing sheep can aid in culling seropositive ewes