Ram from Shropshire tests positive for Schmallenberg virus

The ram infected with Schmallenberg virus was detected in Orkney in northern Scotland.

It is not known in Shropshire where the disease developed and farmers in the county have been urged to maintain high hygiene standards while handling livestock.

The virus, which is passed on by midges to sheep and cattle, mainly affects pregnant animals and can cause abnormalities in newborn lambs and calves.

But animals which are infected by the disease, which was first identified on farms in Germany and Holland, quickly develop an immunity according to farming experts.

According to the latest figures released by the AHLVA, there were no recorded cases of the virus in Shropshire throughout the month of August.

The virus has no effect on humans, and farmers are not required by law to notify the authorities of an outbreak.

Jeremy Lowe, NFU livestock adviser for the West Midlands, said: "Schmallenberg is still a relatively new disease, spread by midges to livestock, and the latest surveillance results showed it had spread to previously unaffected areas including Shropshire.

"Schmallenberg mainly affects cattle and sheep and while stock quickly recover it can cause problems at birth, including abnormalities. When infection occurs in animals that are not pregnant, the impact is very limited and actually provides some degree of immunity.

"While it is an issue for farmers whose animals are affected, the impact of Schmallenberg has been fairly limited and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency will continue to monitor it.

"Work continues to produce a vaccine to protect livestock against Schmallenberg."