Schmallenberg in North East England
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has revealed that the Smallenberg Virus (SBV) has been discovered on farms in both North Yorkshire and Northumberland.
As a result, livestock producers are on high alert as the disease appears to be spreading across the country.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) in Scotland are also urging its farmers to be vigilant as the disease nears the English/Scottish border.
SBV is a midge-born virus, which first came to the UK from the continent last year. The disease causes serious abnormalities in newborn cattle and sheep.
Farmers were told to be vigilant at the end of summer as the warm, wet weather had provided a breeding ground for the midges. Since then, the disease has appeared in numerous English counties, as well as Wales.
Various organisations have been calling for the speedy development of a vaccination, however little is still known about SBV.
A spokesperson for the National Sheep Association (NSA) said: "NSA continues to push for a vaccine to be developed and licensed for UK use as quickly as possible, as we just do not know what is around the corner with this disease."
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
