The number of farms affected by a virus which causes sheep and cows to give birth to dead or deformed offspring has reached 96, farm minister Henk Bleker wrote in a briefing to MPs on Thursday.

Three cattle farms, five goat farms and 88 sheep farms have so far been confirmed tas infected with the Schmallenberg virus, Bleker said. Some 450 farms have reported possible symptoms.
Bleker told MPs the public health institute RIVM has assured him that, based on current information, there is only an outside chance the virus can spread to humans.
In addition, a test has been developed to check for antibodies and the RIVM is working on plans to test a large number of people to see if they have been exposed, Bleker said.
The virus is passed on by gnats and takes its name from the German village where it was first identified.