New Orthobunyavirus outbreak in German farms raises concerns over livestock health and reproductive risks
Veterinary authorities in southern Germany are monitoring a newly detected virus affecting around 100 farms, causing fever and reduced milk yields in cattle, with potential reproductive risks for pregnant animals.
Veterinary authorities in southern Germany are monitoring a newly detected virus that has now been identified on about 100 farms in Baden-Württemberg, according to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut. The infection is causing fever, diarrhoea and lower milk yields in cattle, but so far no deaths have been reported and most animals appear to recover within days.
Laboratory work suggests the pathogen belongs to the Orthobunyavirus group and is closely related to Schmallenberg virus, the ruminant-borne infection first recognised in Germany in 2011. That outbreak spread widely across Europe and was linked to production losses in adult cattle as well as congenital defects in calves, lambs and goat kids when infection occurred during pregnancy.
The current strain is thought to be spread by biting insects, most likely midges, and authorities expect transmission to continue until November while vector activity remains high. The institute says the virus primarily affects ruminants, including cattle, sheep and goats. There is no current evidence that it poses a major public health threat, although concern remains about foetal infection in pregnant animals.
No vaccine is available, leaving insect control and reducing exposure as the main preventive tools. For practising veterinarians, the outbreak is a reminder to consider arboviral disease in herds with seasonal fever, diarrhoea and falling milk production, particularly where reproductive losses could emerge later.
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