Schmallenberg spreads to four new counties

The Schmallenberg virus has tightened its grip on UK farms spreading to four new counties and breaking through the 100-case mark for the first time.

Devon, Dorset, Cambridgeshire and Somerset are the latest counties to succumb to the disease which causes deformities in newborn animals.

According to Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency figures, cases rose by a third from 92 on Friday 2 March to 121 by Monday 5 March.

Eight of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 113 in sheep, and none to date in other species.

So far, none of the affected farms has reported importing animals during 2011 from the worst-hit areas in mainland Europe.

Midges are still thought to be the most likely vector for transmission of the disease.

All of the counties affected have previously been identified as areas at risk of midge incursion from Northern Europe during summer/autumn 2011 when the infection is thought to have begun.

To see how many farms have confirmed cases of the Schmallenberg virus, up to (5 March), see the map below. Click on the markers to see how many cases in sheep and how many in cattle.

View UK Schmallenberg cases in a full screen map

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