rki.news | Source: Xinhua
PARIS, Oct. 22 – French health authorities have reported the world’s first documented human infection with the Shamonda virus. The patient, who was severely immunocompromised, died in early October. Authorities said no risk to the general population has been identified so far.
The Shamonda virus is transmitted to animals by biting midges of the genus Culicoides. First detected in Nigeria in the mid-1960s, it has since been reported sporadically in cattle across parts of Africa and in Japan. No human infection had been officially documented before this case.
The patient was receiving treatment for a serious illness in Lyon, France. Preliminary investigations suggested that brain complications experienced before death were likely linked to the infection.
Authorities believe the most likely source was a bite from an infected Culicoides midge in eastern France.
Health officials described the case as exceptional, given the patient’s severely weakened immune system. They have notified the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
