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New virus suspected in Swiss dairy cow illness outbreak
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Health & Science

New virus suspected in Swiss dairy cow illness outbreak

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Swiss authorities are investigating an orthobunyavirus, previously undetected in the country, as the cause of increased fever and diarrhea in dairy cows.
  • Since mid-July, several Swiss regions have reported sick cows with symptoms including fever, diarrhea, and a significant drop in milk production.
  • Genetic analyses are underway to identify the specific virus, with initial findings aligning with observations in France and Germany.

An orthobunyavirus, a type of virus not previously identified in Switzerland, is suspected of causing a surge in fever and diarrhea among dairy cows, Swiss authorities announced Monday.

Since mid-July, various regions across Switzerland have observed a rise in illnesses affecting dairy cows. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, and a marked decrease in milk production, according to the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (Osav).

The analyses of the Institute of Virology and Immunology IVI have allowed the detection, in several acutely ill animals, of an orthobunyavirus from the Simbu group which had not yet been identified in Switzerland.

— OsavThe Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office announcing the detection of the virus.

Analyses conducted by the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) detected an orthobunyavirus from the Simbu group in several acutely ill animals. This specific virus had not been previously found in Switzerland, Osav stated.

The results obtained so far by the IVI are consistent with the observations made in France and Germany.

— OsavThe Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office noting similarities with findings in other European countries.

Genetic testing is ongoing to pinpoint the exact virus and confirm its role in the observed diseases. Preliminary results from the IVI align with similar observations made in France and Germany. Orthobunyaviruses of the Simbu group are typically transmitted by biting midges called culicoids, and no vaccine is currently available.

This situation echoes the emergence of the Schmallenberg virus in 2012, with increasing indications of another virus from the same serogroup appearing in Switzerland. Viruses within the Simbu serogroup are primarily found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Authorities are also examining whether recent high temperatures and drought conditions have contributed to the outbreak, as Switzerland has experienced repeated heatwaves and significant rainfall deficits.

The viruses of the Simbu serogroup, to which the Schmallenberg virus also belongs, are found mainly in Africa, Asia and Australia.

— IVIThe Institute of Virology and Immunology providing geographical context for the virus group.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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