Shamonda virus detected in livestock in Great Britain for first time
What was announced
Shamonda virus detected in GB
Key points, in the publisher's words
- An emerging virus in Europe, known as Shamonda virus (SHAV), which is thought to be primarily spread by Culicoides biting midges, has been identified in animals in several European countries during 2026 including more recently in cattle in Jersey and the Republic of Ireland. In October 2026 SHAV was detected in cattle at two dairy farms, one located in Powys, Wales and one in Shropshire, England, after samples were collected and tested at APHA laboratories in Weybridge.
- This detection is not unexpected given recent reports of the virus in Europe and demonstrates that our surveillance and diagnostic systems are effective in being able to identify new and emerging diseases in our livestock.
- SHAV is not a notifiable or reportable disease and there is currently no evidence to suggest that additional disease-control measures are required; however, Defra, Welsh Government, Scottish Government and APHA will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and review the response as further evidence becomes available.
Who and where
UK bodies of power
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (executive agency) · more news
- Welsh Government (Devolved government) · more news
- Scottish Government (Devolved government) · more news
- Food Standards Agency (non ministerial department) · more news
- UK Health Security Agency (executive agency) · more news
Countries
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
- Level 6: National government · news at this level
- Level 5: Devolved and state governments · news at this level
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Animal and plant health.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/shamonda-virus-detected-in-livestock-in-great-britain-for-first-time
- Published 2026-11-02 10:00:01 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-11-02 10:15:18 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 6596, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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