Livestock Schmallenberg virus hits 74 farms in England

A disease which has caused birth defects and miscarriages in livestock has been found on 74 farms in England. The Schmallenberg virus affects livestock and is thought to spread by midges, mosquitoes and ticks. Humans are thought to be unaffected by it. It first emerged in the Netherlands and Germany last year. The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) said the infection had been diagnosed five times in cattle and 69 times in sheep. Although none of the affected farms have imported animals during 2011 from the affected areas in mainland Europe, scientists have not yet ruled out animal-to-animal transfer. The virus has caused mild to moderate symptoms in adult cattle, including reduced milk yield and diarrhoea, and late abortions and birth deformities in newborn sheep, goats and cattle. According to the Sunday Telegraph, about 1,000 farms in Europe have reported cases and it says the National Farmers Union has called it a potential "catastrophe". 'Report suspicions' In England, the disease has now been identified on the Isle of Wight and in Wiltshire, West Berkshire and Gloucestershire. This is in addition to farms in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, East and West Sussex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire and Cornwall, which have previously identified cases. A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "As everyone connected with the livestock industry has been expecting, the number of cases of Schmallenberg has increased as lambing and calving begin to gather pace." The spokesman added: "As farmers, vets, and governments continue to gather information about the progress and effects of this disease, it's vital that farmers continue to report any suspicions they have as soon as possible. "The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says it is unlikely Schmallenberg virus would cause disease in humans."