New Orthobunyavirus Spreads Among Cattle in Southern Germany
The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) in Germany has identified a previously undescribed orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup in dairy cattle from the Baden‑Württemberg region. Genetic analysis shows the virus is closely related to Shamonda‑type viruses that circulate in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Affected cows exhibit fever above 40 °C, diarrhea, loss of appetite and a marked drop in milk yield. The pathogen is transmitted by blood‑feeding Culicoides midges, which remain active through November, raising the risk of further spread.
Cases were first noted in Switzerland and France before appearing in July 2024 in multiple herds in southern Germany. Current evidence indicates no significant risk to human health, although the institute warns that fetal infection could cause abortions or congenital defects. No vaccine exists yet and research is ongoing.
Entities: Baden-Württemberg · Baden‑Württemberg · Friedrich Loeffler Institute · Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) · Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut · Schmallenberg virus · Simbu serogroup · Simbu serogroup orthobunyavirus · Switzerland · cattle · dairy cattle · new orthobunyavirus (Simbu serogroup)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 18 SOURCES] The Friedrich Loeffler Institute identified a previously undescribed orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup in cattle samples from Baden‑Württemberg. (All belongs=true articles)
- [● 18 SOURCES] The virus is transmitted by blood‑feeding Culicoides midges. (All belongs=true articles)
- [● 17 SOURCES] There is a potential risk of fetal infection leading to abortions or congenital defects. (All belongs=true articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Genetic analysis shows the virus is closely related to Shamonda viruses from Africa, Asia and Australia. (All belongs=true articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] No vaccine is currently available for the virus. (All belongs=true articles)
- [● 18 SOURCES] The virus is not considered a zoonotic threat to humans based on current knowledge. (All belongs=true articles)
- [● 18 SOURCES] Affected cattle show fever above 40 °C, diarrhea, loss of appetite and reduced milk production. (All belongs=true articles)
- [● 18 SOURCES] Cases have been reported in Switzerland, France and southern Germany. (All belongs=true articles)