Midge­–borne viral threat to livestock

Published on 08/08/2012 00:40

A DISEASE which causes severe birth defects and miscarriages in livestock could spread across the whole of Britain this year, experts have warned.

There have been 276 cases of Schmallenberg virus, which first emerged last year in the Netherlands and Germany, in cattle and sheep on farms across southern and eastern England since early 2012.

Lambs and calves were born deformed or dead this spring. It is thought cows and ewes were infected during their pregnancies last autumn by virus-carrying midges blown across the Channel.

Professor Peter Mertens of the Institute of Animal Health said: “Given it spread last year very effectively, I see no reason why it couldn’t spread to cover most of the country this year.”

There is no evidence of any health risk to people.