First human Shamonda virus case detected in France after patient death
French authorities report the first known human Shamonda virus infection in a severely immunocompromised patient who died; ECDC and WHO are monitoring.
The story in focus
A man in France has become the first known human case of Shamonda virus, a midge-borne bunyavirus normally found in livestock. He was severely immunocompromised and died this month; investigations are examining whether the virus caused or contributed to his death and how he was infected.
- The patient, treated in a Lyon hospital, was severely immunocompromised and died in early October, according to French authorities.
- French officials believe a midge bite in eastern France is the likely route of infection; investigations continue.
- The ECDC and WHO say the case appears isolated, with no evidence yet of sustained human-to-human transmission.
What was detected
French health and agriculture ministries reported the first recognised human infection with Shamonda virus, a bunyavirus spread by infected midges that mainly affects cattle and has also appeared in sheep, goats, horses and alpacas. The patient was being treated for a serious illness at a Lyon hospital when he developed neurological complications that initial findings suggest were very likely linked to the infection.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said the man had already been seriously ill and had a compromised immune system, leaving it unclear whether the virus played a role in his death. Investigations into the cause and the route of infection are ongoing; French officials believe a midge bite in eastern France is the likely source.
Risk assessment
The World Health Organization confirmed the case was the first documented human infection and said current knowledge of similar diseases suggested it was isolated and unlikely to lead to wider spread at this time. It noted that transmission of midge-borne viruses generally declines in cooler months.
Prof Tom Solomon of the University of Liverpool's Pandemic Institute said the risk to the general public appeared very low, noting the virus has circulated in animals for years without recognised human infection. Dr Ben Brennan of the MRC-University of Glasgow centre for virus research said there is currently no evidence of sustained transmission between humans. The ECDC said it is working with French and European partners on potential public health implications.
Animal spread in Europe
Shamonda virus was first detected in European livestock in late July, according to the ECDC, and has since been found in farm animals in several countries including Ireland, Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as Jersey. In animals it can cause diarrhoea, appetite loss and reduced milk yield, as well as abortions and congenital abnormalities in newborn calves, lambs and kids, according to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety.
Is there evidence the Shamonda virus is spreading between people?
No. The ECDC and WHO describe the French case as isolated, and researchers say there is currently no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. The virus is normally spread to animals by infected midge bites.
Sources & further reading
- Shamonda virus detected in human for first time in France ↗The Guardian
- First human case of Shamonda virus detected in France, officials say ↗BBC News
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