Farmers urged to be vigilant as uptick in virus causing birth deformities detected

Deformed limbs, spinal curvature, twisted neck and shortened lower jaw in a Friesian calf caused by Schmallenberg virus. Picture: DAFM / Cosme Sanchez Miguel, senior research officer, Cork regional veterinary laboratory

The Department of Agriculture's regional veterinary laboratories have detected an uptick in the number of confirmed cases of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a midge-borne virus that can cause birth deformities in calves and lambs.

One case in Co Tipperary involved a calf, while there were two outbreaks in sheep in Co Wexford, the department warned on Monday.