Alert as new cow disease is identified

Government vets have discovered an entirely new cattle disease that might affect humans.

The disease was found to have attacked the brain of a cow, leaving it paralysed.

Experts are investigating its possible effects on humans amid fears it could be passed on through meat or milk.

The first animal to be found with the disease suffered from six days of weakness and progressive paralysis. A virus attacked the cow's brain, damaging the white matter and eventually killing the animal.

Officials were unable to say where the affected farm was but claimed no meat had been allowed into the food chain. Vets and farmers are set to be alerted to the disease via the Veterinary Record journal.