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By Tamara Cohen

Last updated at 1:48 AM on 2nd March 2012

A killer virus blighting sheep and cows is likely to be here for another year and is spreading at an alarming rate, experts warned yesterday.

Schmallenberg virus has already been detected at 83 farms in England, killing thousands of newborn lambs or causing them to be born with serious deformities.

Yesterday experts said it was likely to be made worse by the warm weather and could spread across the whole country, putting another breeding season at risk.

Under threat: Sheep are at risk from a new virus from Europe which is threatening to ravage flocks across Britain

Professor Peter Mertens, of the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright in Surrey, said the spread was much faster than the bluetongue virus which hit Britain in 2007 causing devastation.

Both are spread by biting midges, but bluetongue affected fewer animals and remained in the south east for several months before spreading nationwide.

Schmallenberg has already rapidly swept across 14 counties, causing lambs to be stillborn or have deformities such as fused limbs, misshapen heads and twisted necks.

Read more from the original source:
Killer sheep virus 'may last for a year': Deadly disease spreading at alarming rate, experts warn