Shamonda virus detected in Austrian cattle herds

The Shamonda virus has been detected in cattle in the Austrian regions of Salzburg and Tirol. Identified during routine examinations, the virus belongs to the Simbu serogroup within the Orthobunyaviruses.

Symptoms in affected cattle include fever, watery diarrhea, reduced milk production, respiratory issues, and loss of appetite. While some animals may struggle to stand, severe cases resulting in death have rarely been documented. There is currently no known vaccine or specific therapy available to treat the infection, leaving farmers to manage individual symptoms.

The virus is transmitted by biting midges of the genus Culicoides. While direct animal-to-animal transmission is not established, the virus can be passed to fetuses in pregnant cows. The virus is considered harmless to humans.

Originally identified in Nigeria in the 1960s, the Shamonda virus has been found in parts of Africa, Australia, and Southern Europe. Its emergence in Central Europe, including detections in Switzerland and among horses in Germany, suggests a northward shift in its distribution, potentially driven by changing climatic conditions.