France reports first human case of Shamonda virus; patient died in early October
In short
French authorities announced on 22 October that Shamonda virus, which mainly infects cattle, has been confirmed in a human for the first time. The patient, who had a severely weakened immune system and was treated in a Lyon hospital, died in early October. Authorities called it an exceptional case and said no risk to the general public has been identified at present.
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French authorities announced on 22 October that a human infection with Shamonda virus had been confirmed in France for the first time. The patient died in early October. According to Kyodo-based reports, the announcement came from the health ministry and the agriculture and food ministry, and the case was described as the first of its kind in the world. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
The patient had a severely weakened immune system and had been treated for a serious illness at a hospital in Lyon. Nikkei said the patient already had an immunodeficiency and chronic conditions. Jiji Press, citing a regional newspaper, said the patient was a man in his 60s from the east of the country, who was taken to the Lyon hospital in early October. Kyodo-based reports said a brain complication developed before death and that a link to the virus was extremely likely. TBS reported that the complication developed after the infection was confirmed. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
The patient may have been infected by a midge bite in eastern France, where infection in animals was confirmed from spring to summer this year, according to the reports. [ 1 , 5 , 7 ]
Shamonda virus is spread by biting midges and mainly infects cattle. It was first identified in Nigeria in the 1960s, and infections in cattle have been reported in Africa and Japan. Kyodo-based reports said it was confirmed for the first time in Europe, including France, this summer. Yahoo! News Japan said it had until now been thought not to infect humans. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
The authorities called the case exceptional and said no health risk to the general public has been identified at present. TBS reported that the government notified the World Health Organization and others and is carrying out a detailed investigation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
Why it matters
Japanese outlets describe this as the first confirmed human infection with a virus previously known in cattle. The authorities say they see no health risk to the general public for now, and the government is investigating in more detail.
Key facts
- French authorities announced on 22 October the first confirmed human infection with Shamonda virus. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
- The patient died in early October. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- The patient had a severely weakened immune system and was being treated at a hospital in Lyon. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- The virus is spread by biting midges and mainly infects cattle. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- Authorities called it an exceptional case and said no health risk to the general public has been identified at present. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The patient died in early October. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- Authorities described the case as exceptional and said no health risk to the general public has been identified at present. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
- The patient had a weakened immune system and was treated at a hospital in Lyon. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- How the patient became infected. Outlets say the patient may have been bitten by a midge in eastern France, where infection in animals was confirmed from spring to summer; this is described only as a possibility.
- Whether the brain complication before death was caused by the virus. Kyodo-based reports say the link was extremely likely, but this is not stated as certain.
- The patient's age and origin. Only Jiji, citing a regional newspaper, gives a man in his 60s from the east of France; other outlets do not.
- Results of the detailed investigation. TBS reported that the government notified the World Health Organization and others and is investigating in detail, but no findings are given.
- The French health ministry and the agriculture and food ministry announced on 22 October that a human infection with Shamonda virus had been confirmed in France for the first time. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Livedoor News reported on 22 October that French health authorities had announced the first human infection. [ 1 ]
- Jiji Press reported from Paris that the French government had announced the first human infection in the country. [ 2 ]
- TBS reported that the government said a man in Lyon had been infected and had died. [ 4 ]
- Kyodo's Paris report, published on 23 October, said the health ministry and the agriculture and food ministry had announced the case on 22 October. [ 7 ]
- NHK reported on 23 October that French authorities had confirmed the first human infection. [ 9 ]