Shamonda Virus

About Shamonda Virus

• Shamonda virus is a vector-borne virus.
• It belongs to the genus Orthobunyavirus and the family Peribunyaviridae.
• Origin: The virus was first isolated from cattle in Nigeria in 1965.
  • It has been reported in animals across parts of Africa, Asia and Europe.
• First Human Infection: It was not previously recognized as a cause of human disease.
  • In October 2026, France reported the first known human infection in a seriously ill patient in their sixties.
• Transmission: The virus is mainly transmitted between animals through the bites of Culicoides midges, which are small, fly-like insects.
  • Direct animal-to-animal transmission is not known, except during pregnancy, when an infected animal can transmit it to the foetus.
  • The exact transmission routes require further study.
  • It mainly affects cattle but also infects sheep, goats, horses and alpacas.
• Symptoms: In animals, symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, reduced milk production, abortions and foetal malformations.
  • In the reported human case, the patient experienced blindness, confusion and coma.
  • The long-term impact of the virus remains unclear.
• Treatment: No specific treatment or vaccine is currently available for the virus.
• Prevention: Risk reduction measures include using fine mesh screens, eliminating vector-breeding sites, and conducting vector surveillance and control.
  • Other measures include using insect repellents during animal transport and transporting animals during periods of low vector activity.