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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 21 sources · 3 days · First seen 6 days ago · Last updated 3 days ago

Categories: HEALTH

Orthobunyavirus outbreak in Central European cattle

Entities: orthobunyavirus · France · Simbu serogroup orthobunyavirus · Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) · Switzerland

Overview

In mid‑2024 a previously undescribed orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup was detected in dairy cattle across the Baden‑Württemberg region of southern Germany. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute reported fever, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and a temporary drop in milk yield, with transmission by blood‑feeding Culicoides midges that remain active through November.

Within weeks the virus was confirmed in neighboring France (departments of Doubs, Savoie, Haute‑Savoie and Ain) and Switzerland. Researchers noted similar clinical signs and a short‑lived reduction in milk production. Genetic analysis linked the pathogen to Shamonda‑type viruses circulating in Africa, Asia and Australia, and to the Schmallenberg virus that caused fetal malformations in European cattle in 2011, though current cases appear less severe.

Authorities emphasized that the virus does not pose a significant risk to human health and is not transmissible to people. No vaccine is available, and studies are ongoing to understand its spread and potential impact on cattle reproduction.

The situation remains under surveillance as midges continue to be active, raising the possibility of further spread throughout the region.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] A new orthobunyavirus was identified in cattle in France, Switzerland and Germany. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] The virus causes fever and diarrhoea in affected cattle. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] The infection leads to a temporary drop in milk production lasting a few days. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] The virus is not transmissible to humans. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] The virus is transmitted by small biting insects (midges). (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] The virus is genetically close to the Schmallenberg virus that affected Western Europe from 2011. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] The virus was detected in the French departments of Doubs, Savoie, Haute‑Savoie and Ain. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] Researchers say there is no significant public‑health risk from the virus. (All three articles)

Timeline

3 days ago

[HEALTH] 3 sources
New Orthobunyavirus Found in Cattle in France, Switzerland, Germany
A new orthobunyavirus in cattle across France, Switzerland and Germany causes fever, diarrhoea and short‑term milk loss, but is not transmissible to humans and poses no major health risk.
6 days ago

[HEALTH] 18 sources
New Orthobunyavirus Spreads Among Cattle in Southern Germany
Germany's Friedrich Loeffler Institute detected a new Simbu‑group orthobunyavirus in cattle, causing fever, diarrhea and reduced milk; cases also in Switzerland and France, no known human risk, potential fetal‑

Sources

abendblatt.de · agri-mutuel.com · bbv-net.de · bienpublic.com · braunschweiger-zeitung.de · courage-online.de · cumhuriyet.com.tr · dna.fr · fehmarn24.de · harzkurier.de · hellwegeranzeiger.de · ikz-online.de · kronline.at · ledauphine.com · m.haber7.com · malatyaguncel.com · nrz.de · radiolac.ch · upday.com · waz.de · wz.de