Transmitted by mosquitoes: Unknown virus detected in cattle in southern Germany

A previously unknown virus has been identified in cattle in southern Germany, transmitted by mosquitoes. Affected animals exhibited fever, diarrhea, and reduced milk production. The Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (FLI) in Greifswald, a federal research institute for animal health, analyzed four samples from Baden-Württemberg and concluded that the virus belongs to the Orthobunyavirus genus in the Simbu serogroup.

This group of viruses is primarily found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. The new virus does not appear to pose a significant risk to humans. In the affected region of Südbaden, around 100 cattle farms were reported to be impacted, although no deaths were documented. Most infected animals recover within a few days. The FLI emphasized that the virus might be transmissible to fetuses during pregnancy, potentially leading to abortions, stillbirths, and severe congenital malformations.

The severity of the symptoms in adult animals is typically mild to moderate, but the possibility of fetal transmission should be further investigated. The mosquitoes carrying the virus are still active until November, indicating a potential for rapid spread. The institute noted that the virus's potential impact remains unclear, suggesting the urgent need for vaccine development.

The protection against mosquito bites is the recommended preventive measure. The ministry stressed that costs related to infested animals and temporary milk production losses cannot yet be fully estimated, depending on the spread speed, affected animal species, and clinical manifestations. The virus was first detected in Switzerland and France, and in July, it also affected multiple herds in southern Germany, particularly in Baden-Württemberg.

Initially, the symptoms were mistaken for those of the Schmallenberg virus, which arrived in Germany in 2011 and caused birth defects and miscarriages in sheep. Further investigations revealed a high genetic similarity to Shamonda viruses. The newly identified virus is now referred to as "Shamonda-like." Scientists at the FLI plan to closely monitor the virus's spread, the impact on different animal species, and the clinical consequences in the coming weeks.