From mint · Sneha Biswas · · 1m
France reports first human Shamonda virus case
France confirms rare human Shamonda virus case in immunocompromised patient.
In brief
France confirms rare human Shamonda virus case in immunocompromised patient. France reports first human Shamonda virus case in immunocompromised patient who died earlier this month. Originally reported by mint.
First human case confirmed
France reports first human case of Shamonda virus in a patient with severely compromised immunity levels who died earlier this month.
“France has reported the first human case of Shamonda virus in a patient who was reported to be with severely compromised immunity levels. The patient has died earlier this month.”
ECDC monitoring situation
Health and agriculture ministries state no health risk to the general public but note the case involves an immunocompromised patient.
“The health and agriculture ministries assured that "no health risk to the general public" has been identified in a joint statement. It added that the human infection seems to be "an exceptional case involving a severely immunocompromised patient" who was hospitalised for a serious medical condition.”
Shamonda virus background
Shamonda virus typically affects livestock like cattle and belongs to the Orthobunyavirus group.
“Shamonda virus typically affects livestock, particularly cattle. It belongs to the Orthobunyavirus group, the same group of viruses as Schmallenberg virus (SBV).”
Transmission method
Shamonda virus spreads through small biting insects, with the patient contracting it via a midge bite in eastern France.
“Shamonda virus is typically transmitted to animals via small biting insects. The patient reportedly contracted the virus through the bite of a midge in eastern France, where the virus was circulating in animals during the spring and summer, the ministries said.”
Symptoms and impact
Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, fatigue and reduced milk production but the virus is not fatal for cattle.
“Shamonda virus symptoms can be fever, diarrhea, fatigue and a reduction in milk production, as per UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency. However, the virus is said to be not fatal for cattle, reported Independent citing the British Agriculture Bureau.”
Historical context
Shamonda virus first identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s and now spreading in European countries.
“The Shamonda virus was first identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s. Since then the virus has been detected in animals of Africa and Japan. However, it is now spreading among several European countries this year.”
At a glance
France reports first human Shamonda virus case in immunocompromised patient who died earlier this month.
