Terrifying new ‘cattle virus’ infects first human as well being bosses monitor menace
France has recorded the world’s first human case of the livestock-borne Shamonda virus after a seriously ill patient died, health authorities have confirmed
Health chiefs are carefully tracking the Shamonda virus, which has previously mainly been found in cattle (stock)(Image: Getty)
Brits are facing a fresh health warning from across the Channel after a killer animal bug jumped to humans for the first time in history. Health chiefs are carefully tracking the bug after a French patient died shortly after catching the Shamonda virus – a disease that was long believed to pose no risk to people.
The victim, who died in early October, was already receiving medical care for another severe underlying health condition that compromised their system.
It is believed the patient caught the insect-borne bug in eastern France, where it has been circulating among livestock during the spring and summer.
The virus is primarily spread by Culicoides biting midges (stock)(Image: The Pirbright Institute)
Although the UK has not logged any human cases, the virus has already reached Jersey and the Republic of Ireland after sweeping across 12 mainland European nations, including France, Spain, Germany and Belgium.
Spread primarily by tiny biting midges, the virus usually targets cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas and horses, causing severe symptoms such as high fever, diarrhoea, lethargy and a drop in milk yield.
First identified in Nigeria in the 1960s, the disease made its European debut in July following routine testing on sick herds near the Swiss and German borders.
The virus usually targets cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas and horses (stock)(Image: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
French authorities emphasised that the general public is not currently in danger, though researchers are working to confirm whether the bug directly caused the patient’s death or simply aggravated their existing illness.
“Investigations into whether the virus caused or contributed to the patient’s death and how the infection was acquired are ongoing,” said the French government.
European disease prevention agency ECDC confirmed it is “carefully monitoring the situation.”
UK health authorities are also on alert. Dr Katherine Russell, head of emerging infections and zoonoses at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), confirmed officials are aware of the outbreak “and are in contact with the relevant authorities to assess the situation.”
She added: “The virus has not been detected in the UK to date, although it has been identified in cattle in Jersey and the Republic of Ireland.”
The UKHSA is continuing to monitor international data to determine if further precautions are necessary to safeguard domestic livestock and public health.
