CATTLE disease cases look to be on the up - and, with no vaccination, Yorkshire farmers may have reason to be concerned.

Increasing numbers of animals are being affected by a strain of pneumonia that causes death without quick diagnosis and treatment.

Paul Niven, from Schering-Plough Animal Health, said that despite cases being reported nationwide, it is certainly being under-diagnosed.

"The key disease hot spot is Yorkshire, with three vet practices in the county reporting confirmed cases," he said. "Feedback from Yorkshire practices who are submitting animals for post-mortem suggests it is definitely causing problems in the area."

He added reported cases of haemophilus somnus pneumonia have risen significantly since 1997, now accounting for one in every five bacterial pneumonia cases in cattle.

Andrew Schofield, from Minster Veterinary Practice, in York, said he was seeing more cases of the disease.

"Perhaps the increase is due to the fact there is no vaccination for this bacterial strain. It is certainly a threat."

Durham and North Yorkshire National Farmers Union chairman David Maughan, said: "It would cause real alarm to think a strain without vaccination is on the up - it could be quite devastating."