First Human Case of Shamonda Virus Detected in France
French health officials have confirmed the first known human case of the Shamonda virus (Shav), a disease primarily affecting livestock. The patient, who was severely immunocompromised, died in early October. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the case is considered exceptional and there is currently no risk to the public.
The Shamonda virus is typically spread by infected midges and has been detected in cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, and horses. However, this is the first reported case of a human infection. The patient is believed to have contracted the virus through a midge bite in eastern France, where cases were first identified in animals in the spring. The patient was being treated in a Lyon hospital and experienced neurological complications.
The WHO has confirmed that this is the first documented human case of the disease, and while they have not made a formal risk assessment, they believe the case is isolated and unlikely to lead to wider spread at this time. The ECDC is working with French and European partners to investigate the potential public health implications of the infection.
