In early August 2026, the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) identified a new orthobunyavirus from the Simbu serogroup in cattle in southern Germany. The virus isolate Shamonda virus/DE/2026 is closely related to the Shamonda virus, which has been known since the 1960s. This virus has also been found to cause infection in Switzerland and France. It is transmitted by midges, which makes implementing prevention and control measures difficult.
With regard to the newly introduced virus, it is not yet possible to assess the extent to which infections in pregnant animals could damage their foetuses, as was seen with the Schmallenberg virus. Miscarriages, stillbirths, and malformed calves or lambs from potentially affected herds should therefore be examined with particular care.
Viruses of the Simbu serogroup are generally not considered to be zoonotic agents and, based on current knowledge, they do not pose a significant risk of infection to humans.