Virus infection in humans: WHO: Shamonda spread in humans unlikely

Geneva. After the first documented case of Shamonda virus in a person, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not expect a major infection. Based on available information and knowledge about closely related viruses, the infection in France is an isolated case in humans, said WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier. “And it is currently unlikely that there will be further spread,” he said in Geneva.

However, the spokesman pointed out that the WHO had not yet prepared a formal risk assessment. The Shamonda virus had previously been found in animals such as cattle and horses. According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, the first known Shamonda patient died in early October. He therefore suffered from a severe immune deficiency.

“If the immune system is severely weakened, the defense against infectious agents is significantly impaired,” said Martin Beer from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) in Greifswald. Infection and virus multiplication could then occur much more easily. This is of great importance when assessing this case, emphasized the expert from the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health.

It is currently believed that the infection was caused by the bite of a biting midge - a small mosquito - in eastern France. Animal infections with the Shamonda virus were reported there in the spring and summer.

WHO spokesman Lindmeier said that the transmission of viruses by biting midges generally decreases in the cooler seasons. According to the FLI, biting midges are native to Central Europe and are generally active from April to November. They reproduce optimally at 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. Temperatures of more than 12 to 15 degrees are necessary for the virus to multiply in insects.