Overview
- Researchers confirmed a previously unknown orthobunyavirus has been found in dairy cattle in eastern France, Switzerland and southern Germany after cases first rose in July.
- Affected cows have shown fever, lethargy, diarrhea and short-term drops in milk that typically last a few days, with some herds reporting larger temporary production losses.
- Laboratories in France, Switzerland and Germany used metagenomic sequencing to produce complete viral genomes within days and have shared those sequences across Europe.
- Authorities say the virus is judged unlikely to infect people and milk is safe to consume while vaccine makers begin work that officials expect will take several months.
- Transmission is linked to small biting midges and possibly helped by unusual weather; officials are monitoring for abortions and fetal malformations because the virus is closely related to Schmallenberg.