A THIRD case of the Schmallenberg virus, which causes birth defects in livestock, has been identified on the Isle of Wight.
It is the first Island case to be found in cattle, after the virus was discovered in two sheep at Ladyacre Farm, Niton, in February.
Schmallenberg has affected 256 farms nationally, with 220 cases in sheep and 36 in cattle, the government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed this week.
The worst hit counties are Kent, with 45 cases, East Sussex, with 43, and West Sussex, with 40.
As previously reported, the virus affects pregnant sheep, cows and goats and is spread by biting insects.
According to Defra, it is believed to have blown across the channel from Europe via infected midges and is unlikely to cause illness in humans.