Cases of a potentially deadly disease carried in sausages made with EU meat - the so-called 'Brexit virus' - are on the rise.

The strain of hepatitis E (HEV) has been linked to pig farms on the Continent after the tropical virus mutated to infect livestock.

Public Health England reported the number of severe cases has almost trebled since 2010, with 1,244 reported in 2016, compared with 368 six years earlier.

The virus causes a flu-like illness and in severe circumstances, could cause death.

Experts predict around 10 per cent of pork imported from Europe could be infected with the 'Brexit virus', which affects more than 60,000 people in Britain annually.

Humans can catch the disease by eating undercooked pork, sausages, pork pies and bacon.

Once ingested, the virus is carried to the liver, causing people with weakened immune systems to become seriously ill.