Spain confirms Shamonda virus in seven cattle farms; milk production may fall up to 20%

Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that the Shamonda virus is present at seven bovine holdings. The affected farms are located in the provinces of Córdoba and Toledo, according to the information provided.

The disease can produce clinical signs including fever and diarrhoea. It may also be associated with a temporary reduction in milk output, with production potentially falling by as much as 20%.

The reported impact concerns milk production rather than a permanent change in the productive capacity of the farms. The available information describes the decline as temporary and does not provide figures for the amount of milk lost at any of the seven holdings.

No vaccine specifically targeting the Shamonda virus is currently available, according to the report. The Spanish authorities’ recommendations therefore focus on veterinary surveillance and measures to control the insects that transmit the virus.

The confirmation by the ministry identifies the virus at farms in two Spanish provinces. The information does not state when the virus was first detected, how the seven holdings were selected for testing, or whether additional farms have been affected.