Schmallenberg causing deformities in east of England lambs
An emerging livestock disease caused by the Schmallenberg virus that was first detected in Germany late last year has been causing deformities in newborn lambs, goat kids and calves on farms in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and now the UK.
Schmallenberg – named after the place in Germany where the first sample of the virus was identified – causes deformities and still births in sheep, goats and cattle but does not have major clinical signs in adult animals, making it quite difficult to spot.