Shamonda virus in human - France
- Betroffene Länder / Gebiete
- France
- Erste Meldung
- 2026-11-02
- Neueste Meldung
- 2026-11-02
- Anzahl der Meldungen
- 1
Offizielle Zusammenfassung (Originaltext)
On 20 October 2026, the National IHR Focal Point (NFP) of France notified WHO regarding the first documented human infection with Shamonda virus (SHAV). The case was an immunocompromised older man from eastern France with no travel history during the preceding year. He developed severe neurological illness on 23 September 2026 and was diagnosed with severe encephalitis (brain inflammation). The patient died on 8 October 2026.
SHAV is recognized primarily as an animal-associated virus, like the closely related Schmallenberg virus circulating in Europe, with no previously documented human infections.
SHAV was confirmed by metagenomic sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with high viral loads detected in tissue samples collected after death and other causes of encephalitis excluded. There is currently widespread SHAV circulation in animals in Europe, including outbreaks across much of France. The source and route of human infection remain unknown. While vector-borne transmission is most likely, food-borne transmission is under investigation. As this is the first documented laboratory confirmed human infection, WHO considers that the public health risk cannot yet be reliably assessed and recommends continued One Health surveillance and investigation.
WHO-Risikobewertung (Originaltext)
This first documented human infection with SHAV in 2026 demonstrates that human infection is possible. However, a single case is insufficient to assess the risk to the general population, including immunocompetent individuals, or to determine the frequency, clinical spectrum or severity of human infection. The route of infection and possible sources of exposure are unknown, though vector-borne transmission is a plausible hypothesis.
Although transmission to humans by Culicoides has been documented for Oropouche virus, another orthobunyavirus, currently, there is no evidence that SHAV is transmitted to humans by this route. Although widespread animal infections in Europe justify further investigation of potential human exposure, they do not establish the likelihood of human infection or sustained transmission. Seasonal declines in Culicoides activity may reduce vector-borne transmission in the short term in northern climates, but do not exclude other routes or future exposure.
Given the very limited data regarding the zoonotic potential of SHAV, the public health risk remains uncertain and cannot yet be reliably assessed or quantified. Continued surveillance, investigation of potential transmission routes and potential new human cases, assessment of clinical outcomes across different population groups and retrospective studies in animal populations are warranted. The risk assessment should be updated as further evidence becomes available.
Meldungsverlauf
- · 2026-DON623
Shamonda virus in human - France
Offizielle Zusammenfassung (Originaltext)
On 20 October 2026, the National IHR Focal Point (NFP) of France notified WHO regarding the first documented human infection with Shamonda virus (SHAV). The case was an immunocompromised older man from eastern France with no travel history during the preceding year. He developed severe neurological illness on 23 September 2026 and was diagnosed with severe encephalitis (brain inflammation). The patient died on 8 October 2026.
SHAV is recognized primarily as an animal-associated virus, like the closely related Schmallenberg virus circulating in Europe, with no previously documented human infections.
SHAV was confirmed by metagenomic sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with high viral loads detected in tissue samples collected after death and other causes of encephalitis excluded. There is currently widespread SHAV circulation in animals in Europe, including outbreaks across much of France. The source and route of human infection remain unknown. While vector-borne transmission is most likely, food-borne transmission is under investigation. As this is the first documented laboratory confirmed human infection, WHO considers that the public health risk cannot yet be reliably assessed and recommends continued One Health surveillance and investigation.
