Shamonda virus
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. The novel virus was initially designated the ‘Shamonda-like’ virus. Shortly afterwards, the emergence of a further variant of this virus was reported in north-western Germany. In the order of their discovery, the two virus variants (also referred to elsewhere as ‘clades’) were then named Shamonda virus Europe 1 and Europe 2 (SHAV-EU1 and SHAV-EU2 respectively). According to reports, both SHAV variants are likely to exhibit similar clinical symptoms, but occur in different geographical regions (SHAV-EU1 tending to occur in Central Europe, SHAV-EU2 tending to occur in Northern Europe). Differences in the range of animal species susceptible to SHAV-EU1 and SHAV-EU2, if any, have not yet been sufficiently researched; consequently, the term ‘SHAV’ (encompassing both variants) is primarily used here.
Diagnostic procedures were rapidly established at AGES, and so in mid-August 2026, SHAV was detected simultaneously on two Austrian cattle farms in the federal states of Vorarlberg and Upper Austria. Infections have since been detected throughout the country.
SHAV, like the Schmallenberg virus (SBV) – which has been present in this country since 2012 – and the bluetongue virus, is transmitted by midges; the infection can lead to febrile systemic illness characterised by loss of appetite, diarrhoea and a decline in milk yield, as well as to abortions and congenital abnormalities in newborn calves, lambs and kids. In Switzerland and Germany, the presence of SHAV genetic material has also been reported in the brains of horses that died from neurological symptoms. The virus has also been detected in an alpaca. As with SBV, humans are presumably not susceptible to the infection; however, this must first be confirmed for SHAV through further investigations.
Symptoms
In cattle, particularly dairy cattle, the symptoms described to date have mainly been watery diarrhoea, fever and a decline in milk yield. In most cases, several animals are affected at the same time. To date, cases in Austria have been almost exclusively limited to cattle; it is possible that the symptoms in sheep and goats are less pronounced or even subclinical. Infections occurring during a specific stage of pregnancy can, in the case of many orthobunyaviruses – and presumably also SHAV – lead to delayed foetal malformations or weak newborns.
The affected horses, in which SHAV genetic material was found in the brain, had exhibited neurological symptoms; consequently, SHAV could form part of the differential diagnosis for other viral encephalitis in horses (e.g. West Nile virus, herpesvirus, bornavirus). It should be noted that detection of the virus in a living horse has not yet been documented.
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 the related SBV, the majority of infections do not lead to clinical disease, meaning that the spread is only subsequently detected through antibody tests.
Situation in Austria
The first case of SHAV was detected in Austria in mid-August 2026. Since then, the infection has spread across virtually the whole of the country. To date, cases in Austria have been confined almost exclusively to cattle. The disease is not notifiable. There are no official tests for the virus, and a confirmed diagnosis does not trigger any official control measures.
Specialized information
SHAV 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 found in Australia, Asia, Africa and, since 2011, also in Europe, where they generally cause only very mild clinical symptoms initially. 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 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 ones, characterised by fever, diarrhoea and/or a decline in milk yield. Acute infection may also presumably lead to abortions in pregnant animals. In horses in which SHAV was found in the brain post-mortem, neurological symptoms such as lethargy, coordination and movement disorders, muscle twitching, nystagmus or squinting were observed. Neurological disorders may also occur in alpacas, although the evidence on this is currently still inconclusive.
In the case of transplacental infection: if pregnant, previously uninfected dams are 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), infection with viruses of the Simbu serogroup (e.g. SBV) 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 vitality are born in winter and spring. Whether these symptoms also occur with SHAV remains to be clarified.
Diagnostics
In cases of acute illness, 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 SHAV must be paid for privately.
Testing for antibodies in blood (serum) indicates whether the animal has been in contact with the virus. At present, there are no commercially available ELISA tests capable of specifically detecting antibodies directed against SHAV; as cross-reactions with SBV antibodies occur. It is thought that SBV and SHAV can be distinguished using a virus neutralisation test; relevant investigations into this are still ongoing.
PCR testing is carried out on blood (EDTA-anticoagulated blood or serum), organs (particularly the spleen), as well as faeces containing diarrhoea and aborted material; in the case of malformed, euthanised or dead young animals, examination 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 SHAV 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 SHAV 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 cooling agents 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: 28.09.2026
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