France reports first human case of livestock virus Shamonda in patient who later died

France's health authorities said a first known human case of Shamonda virus infection has been detected in the country. The virus was found in a severely immunocompromised patient who was being treated for a serious illness in Lyon and who died in early October, according to the Associated Press account carried by the Seattle Times and PBS NewsHour. [ 5 , 9 ]

The French health ministry said that, based on current knowledge of the virus, no public health risk to the general population has been identified to date. Until now, the Shamonda virus was considered incapable of infecting humans. "This is therefore an exceptional case involving a severely immunocompromised patient," the ministry said. CNN reported that the government made its statement on Thursday. [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]

The ministry said the patient was likely infected through a midge bite in eastern France, where the virus was reported to be circulating among animals during spring and summer. French health authorities have notified international health bodies, including the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The ECDC said it is in contact with the French authorities and European partners to investigate the potential public health implications. It also said investigations into whether the virus caused or contributed to the patient's death, and how the infection was acquired, are ongoing. [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]

CNN, citing the local newspaper Le Progres, reported that the patient was a man in his 60s living in the Lyon area. Wired, quoting the official statement, wrote that the neurological complications observed in the patient before his death were most likely related to infection with the Shamonda virus. Reuters headlines said the WHO considers the case unlikely to lead to wider spread. [ 6 , 8 , 12 ]

Shamonda virus is transmitted to animals by biting midges. It was first detected in Nigeria in the mid-1960s and has been reported sporadically in cattle in West, East and Southern Africa and in Japan. It was identified for the first time in Europe this summer on cattle farms, according to the AP. CNN reported it was first confirmed in Europe in late July after genomic tests on sick cattle in southern Germany, Switzerland and eastern France. France's weekly animal health surveillance bulletin said it had also been detected in several other European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. [ 5 , 8 ]

CNN, citing the World Organisation for Animal Health, said Shamonda is most commonly found in cattle but has also been found in horses, alpaca, sheep and goats. It is not classified as a disease under the EU Animal Health Law and is not subject to official surveillance or control measures. Wired reported that there is no vaccine, so prevention and control rely on insecticides and repellents, and that several European countries are on alert. [ 8 , 12 ]