Overview
- In early September state labs confirmed dozens of infected cattle holdings in Rheinland‑Pfalz and widespread detections in Bavaria’s passive monitoring program.
- Infected animals typically show short, mild illness with fever, diarrhea and reduced milk yield, though most recover within days.
- Veterinary authorities warn infection during pregnancy can cross to the fetus and cause abortions, stillbirths or severe congenital malformations.
- The virus is carried by blood‑sucking midges with peak activity from July through October, so transmission is expected to continue through the vector season.
- There is no vaccine and infections are not broadly notifiable, so control relies on reducing midge exposure, targeted testing of symptomatic or aborting animals, and monitoring that may leave farmers facing milk and reproductive losses; public health agencies say human risk is negligible.