Schmallenberg virus UK cases now over 200

The number of UK farms reporting cases of the Schmallenberg virus has broken through the 200-mark, the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency statistics show.


The total number of farms now reporting cases has risen to 209, an increase of 19 farms during the five-day period ending Friday 23 March.


The disease has also been found for the first time on a sheep farm in Bedfordshire and in two sheep flocks on the island of Jersey.


Sheep farms continue to be hit hardest, accounting for 192 of the total farms. The remaining 17 farms have cases in cattle.


The disease is most prevalent in areas closest to continental Europe which supports the theory that it was spread by infected midges during the summer of 2011.


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