Veterinaria Italiana

Serological evidence of hidden circulation of three arthropod-borne diseases (Rift Valley fever, West Nile fever, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever) in dromedary camels from the Eastern Algerian Sahara

Nacer Eddine Messahel — 2026-08-06

Several arthropod vectors, including ticks, sand flies, and mosquitoes, play a prominent role in the introduction and spread of numerous viral diseases. Despite Algeria being at high risk of arbovirus emergence, data on the circulation of arboviruses remain limited, except for some reports on West Nile virus (WNV). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of antibodies against three arboviruses in several regions of the Algerian Sahara in order to document previous viral exposure. Serum samples collected from dromedaries between May and November 2023 were tested for IgG antibodies against the mosquito-borne viruses Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and West Nile virus (WNV), as well as the tick-borne Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), using commercial ELISA kits. A total of 224, 79, and 73 serum samples were tested for RVFV, WNV, and CCHFV, respectively. The seroprevalence of IgG antibodies was 2.68% for RVFV, 50.63% for WNV, and 75.34% for CCHFV. Co-seropositivity was most frequently observed for WNV and CCHFV (20.55%, 15/73). Place of residence and sex were significantly associated with CCHFV seropositivity in dromedaries (p < 0.05). Overall, the findings suggest widespread circulation of the studied arboviruses in the eastern Algerian Sahara and indicate the possible presence of these pathogens in camels from previously unexplored regions of the country. The results also highlight the imminent risk facing Algeria, particularly from haemorrhagic viruses, and underscore the importance of strengthening arbovirus surveillance and expanding diagnostic panels to include additional arboviruses.

First molecular detection of Leishmania major in the Greater Egyptian Jerboa (Jaculus orientalis) in Algeria (Djelfa)

Karim Ouachek — 2026-08-27

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania major is a major public health concern in Algeria, a recognized endemic hotspot. The parasite is maintained in a transmission cycle involving Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies as vectors and rodents as reservoirs, primarily Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi. Investigating additional rodent species is essential to better understand transmission dynamics in emerging foci.

This study assessed the potential role of wild rodent species as reservoirs of Leishmania parasites in the emerging focus of leishmaniasis in Djelfa, located in the Algerian central steppe. Rodents were trapped during the active season (February–November) using wire traps and identified morphologically. DNA was extracted from spleen and liver tissues. Samples were screened by PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene for Leishmania detection, and positive samples were confirmed by ITS1 sequencing. Rodent species identification was molecularly validated by sequencing the cytochrome b (Cytb) gene.

A total of 22 rodents were captured: 19 Jaculus orientalis, 2 Psammomys obesus, and 1 Meriones shawi. One asymptomatic J. orientalis tested positive for L. major. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the isolate within the L. major clade. Haplotype analysis revealed a unique haplotype differing by two mutations from the predominant North African haplotype.

This study provides the first molecular evidence of natural infection of J. orientalis with L. major in Algeria. Although based on a single infected specimen, this species should be incorporated into eco-epidemiological surveillance, and its reservoir competence warrants further investigation through expanded sampling and xenodiagnostic studies.

Detection and Genotyping of Chlamydia abortus by qPCR in Aborted Dairy Cows in Algeria: Epidemiological Insights and Risk Factor Assessment

Roufaida Fares — 2026-08-27

Chlamydiaceae are Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria responsible for reproductive disorders in ruminants, notably Chlamydia abortus, the aetiological agent of enzootic abortion. Despite its veterinary importance, chlamydiosis remains poorly documented in Algeria. This study aimed to detect and genotype Chlamydia spp. in placental tissues from aborted and normally calving dairy cows using quantitative PCR (qPCR), and to identify associated risk factors. A total of 98 placental samples (84 aborted, 14 normally calving) were collected from four Algerian provinces between 2022 and 2024. qPCR targeting the 23S rRNA gene revealed 11 positive samples (11.22%), all from aborted cows. Sequencing of amplified fragments showed 97.22% similarity to Chlamydia abortus strain NL2335-4C, confirming its presence in Algerian herds. Statistical analysis identified the occurrence of abortion, the spring season, poor hygiene, and tick infestation as significant risk factors for Chlamydia positivity (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate the active circulation of C. abortus in Algerian dairy cattle and underline the importance of improving herd hygiene, biosecurity, and tick control to reduce infection pressure. Further molecular surveillance and sero-epidemiological studies are warranted to assess better the zoonotic potential of chlamydial infections in Algeria.

Post-mortem carcass and organ condemnations in cattle, sheep, and goats slaughtered at the Béjaïa abattoir, Algeria: Causes and associated economic losses over a 10-year period

Hanane Damene — 2026-09-07

This ten-year retrospective study (2012–2021) aimed to investigate the major causes of organ and carcass condemnations identified during post-mortem meat inspection of cattle, sheep, and goats slaughtered at the municipal abattoir of Béjaïa, Algeria, and to estimate the associated economic losses. A total of 140,024 animals were inspected, including 31,723 cattle, 48,700 sheep, and 59,601 goats. Overall, 33,362 organs (24.1%) were condemned, and 399 carcasses (0.3%) were partially or wholly condemned. The highest rate of organ and carcass condemnation was recorded in cattle (32.4%), followed by sheep (24.7%) and goats (19.2%) (P < 0.001). Across all three species, the lungs were the most frequently condemned organs (n = 25,272; 75.7%), followed by the liver (n = 2,899; 8.7%) and heart (n = 2,432; 7.3%) (P < 0.001). In cattle, bovine tuberculosis was the leading cause of organ and carcass condemnation. Liver abscesses represented the main cause of liver condemnation in cattle, sheep, and goats, accounting for 462 of 1,537, 400 of 730, and 389 of 632 condemned livers, respectively. In contrast, pericarditis was the most common cause of heart condemnation in sheep and goats. Over the study period, the estimated direct economic losses attributable to organ and carcass condemnations amounted to USD 518,396.6 in cattle, USD 56,297.5 in sheep, and USD 46,395.8 in goats. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening preventive animal health measures, improving livestock management practices, and reinforcing meat inspection systems to safeguard public health while minimising economic losses across the livestock production chain.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in domestic cats: epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and One Health implication

Anna Salvaggiulo — 2026-08-24

Historically considered accidental hosts of influenza A viruses, domestic cats (Felis catus) have gained attention during the global expansion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b. In addition to traditional exposure via predation on infected wild birds, recent outbreaks have highlighted novel transmission routes, including contaminated commercial raw poultry products and unpasteurised milk. The susceptibility of cats has been linked to the abundant distribution of α-2,3-linked sialic acid receptors in both the respiratory tract and the central nervous system, while adaptive mutations such as PB2-E627K may enhance viral replication efficiency in mammalian hosts. Clinical disease is characterised by severe respiratory, neurological, and ocular manifestations, including acute bilateral amaurosis, and is associated with high mortality rates. Recent documentation of feline-associated zoonotic transmission highlights the importance of surveillance and infection control measures in veterinary settings. Early recognition of compatible clinical syndromes, combined with rapid molecular diagnosis and appropriate biosafety measures, is essential for case management and risk mitigation. This review summarises current insights into the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and One Health implications of H5N1 infection in domestic cats.

Isolation of Moraxella spp. strains in horses

Laura Grassi — 2026-08-24

Two species of Moraxella were isolated from swabs obtained from two symptomatic horses suffering from conjunctivitis and rhinitis. The isolates were identified via MALDI-TOF as Moraxella osloensis and Moraxella equi respectively, with a good genus identification and a probable species identification score. The first one was also confirmed by BLAST sequence analysis with a high homology (99%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing obtained by minimum inhibitory concentration method showed that the two isolates were sensitive to all the tested molecules. The therapeutic protocols applied had an excellent clinical outcome in both cases with no relapses. Notwithstanding the difficulty in assessing the pathologic role of commensal microorganisms such as Moraxella, this genus should be taken into account in the differential etiologies of conjunctivitis and/or rhinitis in horses. Given also the scarce information and the difficulties in the identification of this species, it is important to report clinical cases in order to extend the knowledge in the veterinary field.

Shamonda virus in Europe: an emerging threat, the potential role of Culicoides and the need for preparedness

Umberto Molini — 2026-09-07

The emergence of Shamonda virus (SHAV) in Europe during the summer of 2026 is a timely reminder that the epidemiological boundaries of vector-borne animal viruses are neither fixed nor readily predictable. Shamonda virus is an enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus with three genome segments (L, M and S), belonging to the genus Orthobunyavirus, family Peribunyaviridae, and the Simbu serogroup. Its segmented genome is epidemiologically important because related viruses infecting the same host or vector may exchange genome segments through reassortment, potentially altering antigenicity, host range or pathogenicity.

Shamonda virus was first isolated from cattle in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1965 and was subsequently detected in cattle and Culicoides biting midges in Japan. Its veterinary relevance became clearer after infection was associated with congenital disease in southern Japan: 15 calves exposed in utero during 2015-2016 showed arthrogryposis, torticollis, spinal curvature and central nervous system lesions, and six were stillborn (Hirashima et al., 2017). In South Africa, SHAV RNA was identified retrospectively in Culicoides pools collected between 2012 and 2017 and, in 2021, in the brain and lung of an aborted goat foetus (van der Walt et al., 2023). More recent genomic work also identified a Shuni/SHAV reassortant in a fatal neurological case in a horse, illustrating the biological relevance of segment exchange among co-circulating Simbu viruses (Rakaki et al., 2025).

Europe entered this history abruptly in June 2026, when clusters of acute diarrhoea, transient fever, lethargy, anorexia and marked but generally reversible reductions in milk yield were reported in dairy herds in eastern France. In the initial investigation, herd bulk-milk production fell by 15-75%. Routine testing, including assays for Schmallenberg virus, did not identify a cause; untargeted Nanopore metagenomics instead recovered a previously unrecognised European SHAV lineage. Viral RNA was subsequently found in acutely affected cattle from several regions and in placental or foetal tissues from abortion cases, including foetal brain, supporting systemic and transplacental infection, although formal epidemiological and experimental studies are still required to establish the full causal spectrum (Kelleci et al., 2026).

Within weeks, related detections were reported in Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and Liechtenstein (Union of European Veterinary Practitioners, 2026). By late August, Switzerland had confirmed circulation in 22 cantons and had detected viral RNA in aborted bovine foetuses and in the brains of two horses with central nervous system disease. In those horses, blood and cerebrospinal fluid were negative, emphasising both the short viraemia and the limitations of ante-mortem molecular diagnosis (Institute of Virology and Immunology, 2026). European detections have since extended beyond cattle to sheep, goats, alpacas and horses (Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 2026a). Precise incidence and distribution remain difficult to quantify because the infection is not subject to harmonised mandatory notification.

The genomic picture has also become more complex. On 1 September 2026, the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut reported two genetically distinct variants, designated Shamonda virus Europe 1 (SHAV-EU1) and Shamonda virus Europe 2 (SHAV-EU2). SHAV-EU1 encompasses the variant initially recognised in Switzerland, France and southern Germany, whereas SHAV-EU2 has been identified in cattle from north-western and eastern Germany. All three genomic segments differ between the variants, indicating at least two independent introduction and spread events, which already overlap in some German landers. The concurrent circulation of SHAV-EU1, SHAV-EU2 and Schmallenberg virus creates opportunities for reassortment and makes complete three-segment genomic characterisation, rather than single-target detection alone, an essential component of surveillance (Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 2026b).

Across Europe, the absence of a publicly reported detection in an individual country at the time of writing should not be interpreted as evidence of absence. The virus's rapid geographical expansion, widespread Culicoides populations and climatic suitability for prolonged midge activity create a credible risk of further spread or undetected circulation. Culicoides biting midges are currently considered the most likely vectors, based on the available epidemiological and virological evidence, including repeated detection of SHAV RNA in field-collected pools; however, their vector competence and role in transmission have not yet been formally demonstrated. Adult cattle usually experience a short, self-limiting disease, but herd-level production losses may be substantial. The more consequential effects may emerge later, when animals infected during susceptible stages of gestation abort or deliver stillborn or malformed offspring. The neurological findings in horses further broaden the syndromic surveillance required. No SHAV-specific vaccine or antiviral treatment is currently available. Measures aimed at reducing exposure to biting midges may be considered, although their effectiveness against SHAV transmission remains uncertain.

Current evidence does not show that SHAV infects humans, and Simbu serogroup viruses are not generally regarded as major zoonotic agents. Nevertheless, the zoonotic potential of a newly introduced and incompletely characterised virus should be assessed rather than assumed. This is particularly appropriate because other orthobunyaviruses, including Shuni and Oropouche viruses, can cause human disease (Motlou & Venter, 2021; Zhang et al., 2024). A proportionate One Health response should therefore connect veterinary clinical intelligence, entomological surveillance, genomics and, where indicated, public-health vigilance without overstating the present human-health threat.

European preparedness for SHAV should build on existing clinical, laboratory and entomological surveillance systems. Priority specimens for molecular testing should include samples collected from ruminants during the early febrile or milk-drop phase, particularly when routine tests for differential diagnoses, including bluetongue, are negative, as well as field-collected Culicoides pools, abortion material and specimens from animals with unexplained neurological disease, especially equids. Positive results should be confirmed and followed by sequencing of all three genome segments to support epidemiological investigations and genomic comparison with strains circulating in Europe. Retrospective testing of archived samples, combined with paired serology, may help establish whether silent circulation preceded clinical recognition; however, cross-reactivity with Schmallenberg virus and other Simbu serogroup viruses must be considered when interpreting serological results.

The European SHAV episode illustrates the limitations of pathogen-specific monitoring and the value of combining syndromic approaches, broad-range assays, metagenomics and established vector-monitoring networks. Integration of these complementary tools would facilitate prompt recognition of new or previously unrecognised circulation, definition of its geographical and host distribution, and implementation of proportionate measures to limit further spread and mitigate its animal-health impact.