A man in France has become the first human known to have contracted Shamonda virus, prompting investigations to determine whether the virus contributed to his death. This virus, a type of bunyavirus, is typically spread by bites from infected midges.
Background on Shamonda Virus
According to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Shamonda virus can cause various health issues in livestock, including:
- Diarrhoea
- Lack of appetite
- Decline in milk yield
- Abortions and congenital abnormalities in newborn calves, lambs, and kids
The agency also reported that genetic material of the Shamonda virus has been found in the brains of horses in Switzerland and Germany that died from neurological symptoms.
Recent Developments
The virus was first detected in livestock in Europe during the summer. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed that the patient in France represents the first recognized human infection. However, the individual was already seriously ill and had a compromised immune system, raising questions about the virus's role in his death this month.
