The Eyach virus was discovered in 1976 , the name is derived from the first isolate of the virus from Eyach, a district of Eutingen im Gäu .
The virus belongs to the genus Coltivirus along with the Colorado tick fever virus . So far, three subtypes have been distinguished (EYAV-France-577, EYAV-France-578 and EYAV-Germany). The virus was only found in ticks ( Ixodes ricinus ). Mammals such as rabbits, mice, deer, goats and sheep may be considered as reservoirs based on serological tests . The clinical significance of the Eyach virus is unclear. The Eyach virus may cause a febrile infection , but virus isolation or the detection of IgM antibodies during an illness has not yet been successful in humans.