First human death from Shamonda virus recorded in eastern France
A patient in France died in early October after catching the Shamonda virus from a midge bite.
The Shamonda virus (Shav) mainly infects cattle and spreads through midge bites, but it had never been found in humans until this case. The patient was treated at a Lyon hospital.
The patient caught the virus in eastern France, where animal cases were first found in spring. Health officials said the patient had neurological problems.
They believed the infection very likely caused them. Officials stressed the case was unusual.
It happened in a severely immunocompromised patient. Current information suggests the virus is unlikely to spread widely.
Cooler autumn and winter months also lower midge activity and virus spread. The virus has since been found in farm animals across Europe including Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Jersey.
- Early October
- Death timing
- Eastern France
- Location
- Lyon
- Hospital location
- Human case ever
- First documented
Why it mattersA virus experts thought could not spread to humans has now infected a person. But officials say the risk to the public is low.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but the WHO is monitoring the virus's behaviour and any changes to its transmission patterns.
Corroborated bytheguardian.com
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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