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, as it shows the highest genetic similarity to the Shamonda virus, which has so far been detected mainly in Africa. Like the Schmallenberg virus (SBV), which has been present in this country since 2012, and the bluetongue virus, it is transmitted by midges; the infection can lead to feverish systemic illness with loss of appetite, diarrhoea and a drop in milk yield, as well as to abortions and congenital abnormalities in newborn calves, lambs and kids. As with SBV and the Shamonda virus, humans are presumably not susceptible to infection; however, this must first be confirmed by further investigations, including for the new ‘Shamonda-like’ virus. There have as yet been no reports of the new virus in Austria; AGES is working as a matter of high priority on the introduction of a detection method for the infection.
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.
Technical information
The new Shamonda-like virus 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 cause only very mild clinical symptoms initially. However, if pregnant animals become infected, significant congenital defects, premature births and reproductive disorders may occur at a later stage.
Based on current knowledge, these viruses are not considered to pose a risk to humans.
Once available, testing for the new Shamonda-like virus will be a private-pay service. As the disease or infection is not notifiable, detection has no consequences under animal health legislation.
Transmission
As with SBV and Shamonda virus, transmission is thought to occur via midges (Culicoides spp.). It is likely that susceptible dams can transmit the infection to the foetuses via the placenta, 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 symptoms characterised by fever, diarrhoea or a decline in milk yield. During the course of acute infection, abortions may also occur 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, the birth of malformed and/or weak young occurs in winter and spring. Whether these symptoms also occur with the Shamonda-like virus remains to be clarified.
Diagnostics
Testing for antibodies in blood (serum) can determine 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) and aborted foetal material; in the case of malformed, euthanised or dead 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 the new Shamonda-like virus can be detected in blood or tissues is not yet known. In blood, the Schmallenberg virus is detectable for only a few days. Whether the Shamonda-like virus 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: 06.08.2026
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