The first known human case of Shamonda virus was reported by France on Thursday . The patient has died, but the World Health Organization says that it is considered to be an isolated case so far and that there is no broader risk to the general public.
WHO is “in touch with the French authorities and is closely monitoring the situation,” the agency said in a social media post , and plans to share updates as it learns more.
Here’s what we know about Shamonda virus.
Shamonda virus was first identified in cattle in Nigeria in 1965, according to WHO .
It is most commonly reported in cattle, but there have also been cases in sheep, goats, horses and alpaca.
Infected animals can show clinical signs, including fever, diarrhea and reduced milk production, according to the World Organization for Animal Health . The virus may also cause congenital abnormalities in newborn calves.
Most cases of Shamonda virus have been identified in Africa and Japan.
It was first detected in Europe this summer, in cattle in southern Germany and Switzerland. Since then, it has also been identified in animals in other parts of Western Europe, including Austria, Belgium and France.
The virus is transmitted to animals through the bite of a Culicoides midge, which is a small insect similar to a fly. WHO says that further study is needed to understand the exact species involved.
It is not known to spread from animal to animal, except from an infected animal to its fetus during pregnancy.
Shamonda virus is classified as an Orthobunyavirus; It belongs to the Simbu subgroup, which also includes Schmallenberg virus . Outbreaks caused by this group “tend to occur in cycles following the seasonal patterns of midges,” according to WOAH. But patterns in Europe may differ from those in places where the viruses are endemic.
French authorities suspect that the person who had Shamonda virus had been bitten by a midge that was carrying the virus.
But health officials say that further investigation is required to confirm how the person became infected and to understand whether the virus caused or contributed to their death.
The patient had been receiving treatment for a serious illness that made them more susceptible to infection than the general population, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
“Bunyaviruses vary in their capability to infect humans,” WOAH says. “Specific risk assessments should be carried out to determine both the biosafety and biocontainment measures required for handling infective materials in the laboratory.”
WOAH encourages nations to voluntarily report Shamonda virus cases, but it is not required.
Laboratory testing is also needed to confirm infection in animals, as clinical signs can resemble those of other diseases.
There are currently no treatments or vaccines for Shamonda virus.
