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”.
“In Switzerland and Germany, the presence of Shav [Shamonda virus] genetic material has also been reported in the brains of horses that died from neurological symptoms,” the agency said.
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.
“Investigations into whether the virus caused or contributed to the patient’s death and how the infection was acquired are ongoing,” the ECDC has said.
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. “Shamonda virus has been circulating in animals, particularly cattle, but also sheep, goats, horses and alpacas, for many years, yet this is the first recognised human infection,” he said.
“This suggests that transmission to humans is extremely unusual.”
But unknowns remain, he said: “We don’t know whether healthy people can become infected without developing symptoms, what symptoms the virus might normally cause, or how frequently it might cause serious disease.
“French authorities believe the neurological complications in this patient were very likely linked to the infection, although investigations are continuing. This is clearly concerning, but one exceptional case does not necessarily mean the virus poses a significant threat to the wider population.”
Dr Ben Brennan from the MRC-University of Glasgow’s centre for virus research, said there was currently no evidence of sustained transmission between humans.
“While this discovery warrants further scientific investigation and continued surveillance, it does not currently suggest a significant new public health threat to the UK,” he said. “For most people, there is no reason to change their normal activities or take additional precautions.”