Unknown virus discovered in cattle

New bovine virus detected in North Rhine-Westphalia

11/22/2011

After more infections were reported from North Rhine-Westphalia in cattle with a previously unknown pathogen, the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute for Animal Health (FLI) on the Baltic island of Riems has now expressed a first suspicion about the causes of the disease. Accordingly, it is believed that a virus from the genus of the so-called Orthobunya viruses, cause of the symptoms observed in many cattle.

Since the summer months, several farms from North Rhine-Westphalia reported diseases in their cattle, which expressed by symptoms such as high fever, loss of appetite and a strong milk decline (by up to 50 percent). Although the symptoms usually subsided after a few days, as the cause of the disease remained unclear, concern grew about the potential risks of a previously unknown pathogen. Now, the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute for Animal Health has announced the first results of the laboratory tests of the submitted samples, which indicate an infection with pathogens of the genus Orthobunya viruses - explicitly the Akabane-like viruses. „Comparative analyzes of the genetic material suggest that it is a virus from the group of Akabane-like viruses“, the FLI reports in a recent press release.

Nine positive samples with the previously unknown bovine virus
Initially bluetongue disease was suspected as the cause of the symptoms, but this assumption could be ruled out in the course of further investigations by the FLI. All submitted samples were examined for a variety of viruses at the FLI Insel Riems Institute for Viral Diagnostics. According to the FLI „the bluetongue virus, deer epizootic hemorrhage (EHD), foot-and-mouth disease, bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and other pestiviruses, bovine herpesvirus 1 and other herpesviruses, as well as Rift Valley fever virus and bovine ephemeral fever virus“ be excluded as the cause of the symptoms. However, the propagation of selected samples on bovine cell cultures to detect virus proliferation, but let assume infection with a previously unknown in Germany pathogens from the genus of Orthobunya viruses. According to the origin of the samples in the Hochsauerland the virus became first according to FLI „Schmallenberg virus“ named. Overall, the FLI claims to have „more than 100 samples from 14 companies“ analyzed, with at least nine positive samples from four farms „Schmallenberg virus“ contained. Whether the pathogens were actually the cause of the symptoms in the cattle, but for the time being still needs to be examined in further studies, according to the Institute.

New virus harmless to humans
According to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Animal Health, Orthobunya viruses have so far been found in cattle „Oceania, Australia and Africa usually only spread and induce a very mild clinical condition there.“ In addition, the symptoms described above usually go back after a relatively short time. However, the viruses in pregnant animals, according to the FLI „Significant congenital damage, premature birth and disorders in fertility“ cause. However, the consumers are not endangered by the occurrence of previously unknown viruses in German cattle stocks, since the virus is harmless to humans, explained a spokesman for the Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia on Monday in Bonn. As the FLI emphasized, despite the specific evidence of the pathogen remains so far „It is unclear whether this is a new entry of this exotic virus or whether Orthobunya viruses have been present in cattle in Europe for a long time.“ For example, according to FLI, there are reports from the Netherlands, which „from more than 80 affected businesses“ out. According to the experts, the pathogens are transmitted by so-called bearded mosquitoes (biting midges).

Further investigations of the novel bovine virus necessary
The detection of the hitherto unknown virus succeeded FLI using the new method of so-called metagenome analysis, the „the untargeted detection of genetic material (genome) of potential infectious agents or of genome sequences in sample material of any kind“ allowed. With this special method for detecting viral genetic sequences, the pathogen could be detected, but not yet isolated, explained the FLI. Thus, the symptoms mentioned could not be assigned to the pathogen beyond doubt, explained the expert of the FLI. Therefore, FLI „further investigations have been initiated, which include optimized and extended pathogen breeding, inoculation of cattle, the development of serological diagnostics and the testing of further samples from the affected area.“.In addition, further epidemiological investigations will follow. (Fp)

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Picture credits: Joujou