Urdu Report Desk
French authorities have confirmed the world’s first documented human case of Shamonda virus, a disease primarily found in cattle, after an infected patient died in Lyon. Investigations are underway to determine how the patient contracted the virus and whether the infection contributed to the death.
In a joint statement, France’s health and agriculture ministries described the case as the first confirmed instance of Shamonda virus transmission to a human. The virus had previously been considered incapable of infecting people.
The patient had been receiving treatment for a serious illness at a hospital in Lyon, France’s third-largest city. Authorities said the case was particularly unusual because the patient had a severely weakened immune system.
What Is Shamonda Virus?
Shamonda virus belongs to a group of viruses transmitted by biting insects, particularly Culicoides midges, which are small flies.
According to France’s health ministry, preliminary investigations suggest that the patient, who lived in eastern France, may have contracted the virus through a bite from one of these insects. The virus had already been detected in livestock in the same region this year.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the infection and its possible connection to the patient’s death.
History of the Virus
Shamonda virus was first identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s. Since then, infections in livestock have been reported intermittently across western, eastern and southern Africa, as well as in Japan.
The virus has been present in cattle in parts of Africa and Asia for decades. It primarily affects cattle, particularly cows.
According to Belgium’s national public health institute, Sciensano, infected adult cattle may develop fever, lethargy and diarrhoea. Dairy cows may also experience a significant decline in milk production.
Spread Across Europe
Shamonda virus was detected in Western Europe for the first time this year. Cases have been reported in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.
In France, most reported infections have involved livestock, particularly cattle. During the summer, a small number of cases were also detected in sheep, goats and horses.
The emergence of the virus in several European countries has prompted authorities to monitor its spread among animals.
No Vaccine Available, Authorities Say Public Risk Remains Low
There is currently no vaccine available to prevent Shamonda virus infection.
Despite the first documented human case, French authorities and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have indicated that the risk to the general public remains negligible based on current evidence.
The case involved a patient with a severely weakened immune system, and there is no evidence that the virus is spreading between humans or that it is developing into an epidemic among people.
Further investigations are continuing in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish how the infection occurred and assess its implications for human health.
