A man in France has become the first human known to have contracted Shamonda virus, with investigations under way to explore whether it contributed to his death. Shamonda virus is a type of bunyavirus and is spread by bites from infected midges. According to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, in animals such as cattle, sheep and goats it can cause diarrhoea, lack of appetite and a decline in milk yield, “as well as abortions and congenital abnormalities in newborn calves, lambs and kids”.
The virus has previously been found in farm animals outside Europe, but was first detected in livestock on the continent in the summer. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said the patient in France was the first recognised human infection. It also noted that he had already been seriously ill and had a compromised immune system, meaning it was unclear whether the virus played a role in his death this month.
Prof Tom Solomon, the director of the pandemic institute at the University of Liverpool, said the risk to the general public appeared to be very low.
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