Novel Orthobunyavirus
Profile
In early August 2026, the German Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (FLI) and the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) in Switzerland simultaneously reported the detection of a novel orthobunyavirus in cattle from several herds in southern Germany and Switzerland. Similar cases of the disease, with evidence of the virus, were also reported in France. On the basis of genetic analyses, the novel virus was provisionally named the ‘Shamonda-like’ virus (SHLV), as it shows the highest genetic similarity to the Shamonda virus, which had previously been detected mainly in Africa. In mid-August 2026, the first detection of SHLV occurred simultaneously at two Austrian cattle farms in the federal states of Vorarlberg and Upper Austria. The infection has since also been detected in Tyrol, Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia and Lower Austria. Further spread is to be expected.
Like the Schmallenberg virus (SBV), which has been present in this country since 2012, and the bluetongue virus, SHLV is transmitted by midges; the infection can lead to feverish systemic illness with loss of appetite, diarrhoea and reduced milk yield, as well as to stillbirths and malformations in newborn calves, lambs and kids. In Switzerland, the presence of SHLV genetic material has now also been reported in the brains of horses. No cases have yet been reported in horses outside Switzerland. As with SBV and the Shamonda virus, humans are presumably not susceptible to the infection; however, this must first be confirmed for SHLV through further investigations.
Symptoms
Diarrhoea, fever and a drop in milk yield have been reported to date. It is not yet clear whether SHLV, like SBV and the Shamonda virus, can cause abortions and birth defects in young animals. The Swiss horses in which SHLV genetic material was found in the brain had exhibited neurological symptoms.
Therapy
There is no curative treatment. Affected animals can be treated with antipyretic and anti-inflammatory medication to provide symptomatic relief. Please refer to the relevant package leaflets for details of any side effects or contraindications. In the case of SBV, the majority of infections do not lead to clinical disease, meaning that the spread of the virus is only detected retrospectively through antibody testing.
The situation in Austria
The first case of SHLV was detected in Austria in mid-August 2026. The disease is currently spreading rapidly across the country. Infections have been detected in Vorarlberg, Upper Austria, Tyrol, Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia and Lower Austria. Further spread is expected.
To date, cases in Austria have been limited exclusively to cattle. The disease is not notifiable. No official testing for the virus is carried out, and a positive diagnosis does not trigger any official control measures.
Technical information
The SHLV is an enveloped RNA virus with a single-stranded, segmented genome belonging to the family Bunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus. Related viruses (SBV, Shamonda, Aino and Akabane viruses; the ‘Simbu serogroup’) are widespread in Australia, Asia and Africa, where they generally initially cause only very mild clinical symptoms. However, if pregnant animals become infected, significant congenital defects, premature births and fertility problems may occur at a later stage.
Based on current knowledge, these viruses are not considered to pose a risk to humans.
As the disease or infection is not notifiable, detection has no consequences under animal health legislation.
Transmission
As with SBV and Shamondavirus, transmission is thought to occur via midges (Culicoides spp.). It is likely that susceptible dams can transmit the infection transplacentally to the foetuses, which may result in disturbances in the foetuses’ neurological development.
Symptoms
In acute infection: In most cases, viruses of the Simbu serogroup cause no clinical symptoms, or only mild and short-lived ones, characterised by fever, diarrhoea and/or a decline in milk yield. Acute infection may also presumably lead to abortions in pregnant animals.
In the case of transplacental infection: If pregnant, previously uninfected dams become infected during a susceptible period (in sheep, presumably between the 30th and 50th day; in cattle, approximately between the 75th and 175th days of gestation), SBV infection can lead to severe malformations of the limbs (arthrogryposis) and head (hydrocephalus, torticollis, hydranencephaly). Depending on the time of infection and the gestation period of the various affected species, young animals with malformations and/or poor viability are born in winter and spring. Whether these symptoms also occur with SHLV remains to be clarified.
Diagnostics
In acute cases, suitable samples for examination include EDTA-anticoagulated blood and/or serum, as well as faeces containing diarrhoea and aborted foetal material. In the case of animals that have died or been euthanised, an attempt can be made to detect the virus in the spleen.
If an investigation is required for horses that have died or been euthanised with neurological symptoms, brain tissue is required.
Testing for SHLV must be paid for privately.
Testing for antibodies in blood (serum) indicates whether the animal has been exposed to the virus. At present, no commercially available ELISA tests are yet available. Once the virus has been successfully isolated, a serum neutralisation test can be carried out.
PCR testing is carried out on blood (EDTA-anticoagulated blood or serum), organs (particularly the spleen), as well as faeces containing diarrhoea and aborted foetal material; in the case of malformed, euthanised or deceased young animals, testing of the brain or spinal cord may also be useful in addition to blood and the spleen: PCR directly detects the virus or viral components. The duration for which SHLV can be detected in blood or tissues has not yet been clarified; it is presumed that, like SBV, it is detectable in blood for only a few days. Whether SHLV can also be excreted in semen has not yet been investigated.
In all cases, samples should ideally be dispatched to the laboratory by an authorised logistics company, using coolants and in accordance with the relevant transport regulations (UN3373).
Contact
Institut für veterinärmedizinische Untersuchungen Mödling
- vetmed.moedling@ages.at
- +43 50 555 38112
-
Robert Koch-Gasse 17
2340 Mödling
Last updated: 04.09.2026
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