The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday that the first documented human case of Shamonda virus disease was unlikely to lead to wider transmission, while confirming that it was monitoring the situation.
The virus is usually found in livestock, and the case has raised concerns about the possibility of transmission from animals to humans. However, the WHO said its current assessment suggested the infection was isolated.
“Based on current information and knowledge of the transmission of closely related viruses, this is an isolated human case and it is unlikely to lead to wider spread at this time,” the organisation told Reuters in a statement.
According to the French government, the patient is suspected to have been bitten by a midge carrying the virus in eastern France. The virus had circulated among animals in the region during the spring and summer.
Authorities have not indicated that the case has resulted in further human infections. The WHO’s assessment is based on the information currently available and its understanding of how related viruses are transmitted.
Shamonda virus is associated with livestock, making the reported human infection a notable development. The circumstances surrounding the suspected insect bite are central to investigations into how the patient became infected.
The WHO said it would continue monitoring the situation as more information becomes available. Its assessment that wider spread is unlikely reflects the evidence currently available, rather than a guarantee that no further cases could occur.
The case also highlights the importance of monitoring diseases that circulate among animals and investigating unusual infections in humans. Health authorities rely on surveillance and information sharing to assess whether an isolated infection poses a broader public health risk.
Further details about the patient and the investigation were not provided in the available statements.
