First Human Case of Shamonda Virus Detected in France
The first identified human case of the Shamonda virus was reported by France on Thursday. Tragically, the patient has passed away. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that this appears to be an isolated incident, implying no immediate threat to the wider public.
According to WHO, they are communicating with French health authorities and are actively monitoring the situation, planning to issue updates as more information becomes available.
Here’s a quick summary of what’s known about the Shamonda virus.
The Shamonda virus was originally discovered in cattle in Nigeria back in 1965. It typically affects cattle most frequently, but there have been recorded instances in sheep, goats, horses, and even alpacas.
Animals infected with this virus may display symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and a decrease in milk production. Additionally, it may lead to birth defects in newborn calves, as noted by the World Organization for Animal Health.
So far, most cases of Shamonda virus have been found in Africa and Japan.
This summer marked its first detection in Europe, specifically in cattle in southern Germany and Switzerland. Since then, it has also been recognized in animals across other areas of Western Europe, including Austria, Belgium, and France.
The virus is spread to animals through bites from a Culicoides midge, a small insect akin to a fly. WHO has mentioned that further research is necessary to pinpoint the exact species involved.
Currently, it’s unclear if the virus can be transmitted from animal to animal, except for instances where infected animals pass it to their fetuses during pregnancy.
Classified as an Orthobunyavirus, Shamonda belongs to the Simbu subgroup, which also includes the Schmallenberg virus. Outbreaks from this subgroup generally occur in cycles with the seasonal patterns of midges, though patterns in Europe might differ from those in endemic regions.
French officials believe that the individual infected with the Shamonda virus likely contracted it through a midge bite. Yet, health officials stress that more investigations are needed to confirm how the person became infected and whether the virus was a causative factor in their death.
The patient had been undergoing treatment for a severe illness, which made them more vulnerable to infections compared to the general populace, as stated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
According to WOAH, “Bunyaviruses vary in their capability to infect humans,” and they advocate for specific risk assessments to establish necessary biosafety and biocontainment measures for handling infectious materials in labs.
WOAH also encourages countries to voluntarily report cases of the Shamonda virus, although this is not mandatory.
Lab testing is essential for confirming infections in animals, as the clinical signs can mimic those of other diseases.
At present, there are no known treatments or vaccines available for the Shamonda virus.
