THERE are growing concerns among farmers and veterinary surgeons in West Devon over the spread of the Schmallenberg virus that is threatening new-born sheep and calves.

Named after the German village where it was first discovered, the virus has been associated with brief mild/moderate disease (milk drop, pyrexia, diarrhoea) in adult cattle and late abortion or birth defects in newborn cattle, sheep and goats.

The disease is transmitted by midges, mosquitoes and ticks and Defra says it was brought into the UK from infected midges blown across the Channel, although it has seen no evidence to suggest it was from imported livestock.

So far, 126 cases in Devon have been reported to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency for testing (98 cattle and 28 sheep) and 68 in Cornwall (60 cattle, eight sheep).

However, vet Roger Cunningham from North Park Veterinary practice in North Tawton, said the AHVLA figures were underestimating the extent of the problem and there was much talk about it among Devon farmers.

'These figures are grossly unreprensentational. The virus is completely widespread throughout Devon. Ninety to 95 per cent of samples sent to the laboratory in Starcross proved positive. However, just because they are positive it doesn't always mean it is the Schmallenberg virus.'

Mr Cunningham, a council member for the British Cattle Veterinary Association, said one farmer he knows with 40 pregnant ewes had ten lambs born deformed.

He said it was hard for farmers because in many ways it was down to pure luck if their animals became infected or not.

'People are not reporting them to the AHVLA as it is not a notifiable disease and the figures they quote are just the tip of the iceberg. There is no solution, you can't stop the midges and perhaps it is better if the animals were infected so they can build up an immunity,' he said.

The Schmallenberg virus is definitely here to stay, says Okehampton vet Chris Just from Westpoint Veterinary Group.

He has dealt with a case where the virus has had serious economic consequences for one West Devon farmer.

'It is still early in the lambing season and the lambs born before Christmas have had the most problems — as the season progresses we will not have so many cases. It is only a matter of luck if a sheep will develop an immunity to the virus before they become pregnant.

'It is really the luck of the draw for individual farmers whether their animals catch the virus. There is nothing the farmers can do about it as there is no vaccine at the moment.'

He praised Devon and Cornwall farmers for generally being more proactive when it comes to fighting animal diseases than other regions throughout the country.

'This is a similar virus to last year's Blue Tongue, where a vaccine was found and proved very successful. Hopefully, something similar can be found in the near future to combat the Schmallenberg Virus.'

Ian Johnson, a spokesman for the National Farmers' Union South West, said: 'This is not a notifiable disease which means that farmers are not legally bound to report it to the AHVLA if they suspect infection with the virus.'

It is hoped that as the geographical spread of the midges widens, the disease may lessen as the lambing season progresses from December to May and a level of immunity will develop.

He urged farmers to report cases as the more data collected strengthens the chances of a vaccine being found.

Mr Johnson concluded: 'After one of the worse years last year for farmers what they don't need is a black cloud hanging over them with this virus.'

Farmers are asked to contact their veterinary surgeon if they encounter cases of ruminant neonates or foetuses which are stillborn, show malformations or are showing nervous disease. Veterinary surgeons should then contact their local AHVLA Laboratory (England and Wales) if they suspect infection with the virus.