Biting Midge after blood meal
#19,279Four days ago we looked at a statement from the Swiss FSVO (Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs) on their Investigation into an Unidentified Bovine Disease which produced fevers, diarrhea, and substantial milk drop in dairy cows.
Since then, Germany's FLI (Friedrich Loeffler Institute) has announced the results of their own investigation, which had discovered high levels of a novel orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup present in affected cattle.
Orthobunyaviruses are a large and growing family `arboviruses' - viruses carried and spread by biting insects (mosquitoes, ticks & midges) - that mostly infect animals, but are sometimes zoonotic.
The virus in question is reportedly similar to viruses that are found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. These types of viruses are not usually zoonotic, but additional studies will be needed to determine its actual risk.
I've posted the FLI press release below:
FLI detects a new orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup (“Shamonda-like”) in cattle in Germany
08/03/2026 Press Releases
The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) has detected a previously uncharacterised orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup in samples from affected cattle in southern Germany. Following the first appearance of the Schmallenberg virus in 2011, this once again provides reliable evidence that a new virus from this group has been introduced into Germany. The newly detected virus shows the closest relationship to the Shamonda virus in all three segments. Viruses of the Simbu serogroup are found primarily in Africa, Asia and Australia. Like bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus, they are transmitted by blood-sucking midges of the genus Culicoides. The animals most commonly infected are ruminants, particularly cattle, sheep and goats.
Cases were first detected in cattle in Switzerland, France and southern Germany, particularly in Baden-Württemberg. The affected animals showed signs of fever and diarrhoea. In dairy cows, a decline in milk yield – in some cases significant – was also observed. These clinical signs have been observed in numerous animals and herds since July. The clinical signs were initially consistent with infection by the Schmallenberg virus. However, tests for Schmallenberg virus, as well as for other known pathogens such as bluetongue virus or epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, proved negative.
Samples from four affected cattle herds were submitted to the FLI by the local state veterinary laboratory (Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Freiburg). Within 48 hours, the samples had been analysed and the pathogen further characterised. A Pan-Simbuvirus PCR revealed clear positive signals in several serum and blood samples from different farms, with Ct values of up to around 20. This indicates high viral loads at the time of sampling. Further PCR tests for viruses in this group also yielded positive results.
Whole-genome sequencing revealed that all three genome segments showed the highest sequence similarity to Shamonda viruses (at the amino acid level: S: 99 %; M: 95 %; L: 97 %). Whilst the S and L segments are also closely related to Schmallenberg virus, the M segment – which is particularly relevant for antigenicity and the immune response – shows a significantly lower degree of similarity (<50 %). The final taxonomic classification of the virus is currently pending.
Infections with viruses of the Simbu serogroup generally lead to a brief period of viraemia and only mild to moderate clinical signs in adult animals. Of particular significance, however, is the potential transmission to the foetus during pregnancy. Depending on the timing of the infection, abortions, stillbirths and severe congenital malformations may occur. In the case of e Schmallenberg virus, sheep were particularly affected by this. In some flocks, malformation was observed in up to 50 % of the offspring. In cattle, foetal malformations were less pronounced.
As regards the newly identified ‘Shamonda-like’ virus, it is not yet possible to assess whether, and to what extent, infections in pregnant animals may lead to malformation in the foetuses. Abortions, stillbirths and malformed calves or lambs from herds that may be affected should therefore be examined.
Depending on the weather, the midge season in Germany lasts until around the end of November. Midge activity is usually at its peak between July and October. Given the generally efficient transmission by midges, a further and potentially rapid spread of the virus within susceptible herds is therefore anticipated.
Viruses of the Simbu serogroup are not generally considered to be zoonotic agents and, based on current knowledge, do not pose a significant risk of infection to humans. However, in the case of newly emerging and insufficiently characterised viruses in this group, their potential zoonotic risk should be investigated as a precautionary measure and closely monitored as the situation develops.
The FLI is giving high priority to the complete characterisation of the pathogen, the epidemiological tracing of cases, and the adaptation and development of specific diagnostic methods. “Following the 2011 Schmallenberg virus outbreak, an exotic orthobunyavirus has once again been introduced into Central Europe.
Investigations over the coming weeks will reveal how rapidly it is spreading, which animal species are particularly affected, and what clinical consequences can be expected. Of crucial importance is the question of whether infections during pregnancy lead to foetal malformation,” said Prof. Dr. Martin Beer, Vice-President of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut. In principle, vaccines can be developed against orthobunyaviruses. However, this requires sufficient lead time. The necessity and urgency of vaccine development will depend largely on the clinical and, in particular, reproductive significance of the newly introduced virus.
Database access to sequence information on the new ‘Shamonda-like virus’:
ASSEMBLY_NAME | ASSEMBLY_ACC | STUDY_ID | SAMPLE_ID | CONTIG_ACC | SCAFFOLD_ACC | CHROMOSOME_ACC amp07736 | GCA_987215895 | PRJEB123174 | ERS3
