Alert over Shamonda virus in Spain after first human case detected in Europe

A virus that for decades had gone almost unnoticed outside the veterinary field has attracted the attention of infectious disease specialists. It is called Shamonda, and its presence in a French patient marks the first documented case of human infection.

The discovery has led the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to examine the situation. However, experts insist that, for now, there is no evidence that the virus poses a significant threat to the population.

The main concern is focused on the livestock sector, where the infection has already been identified in various European countries.

What is known about the first human case of Shamonda

The patient died in France in October. He suffered from a serious illness that had weakened his immune system and was not initially linked to the virus.

It was during the autopsy that specialists detected the presence of the pathogen in his body.

This discovery raises several questions that remain unanswered. It is not known how the patient became infected or whether the virus contributed to his death.

The ECDC notes that his immunosuppressed state may have made him especially vulnerable to infections. For this reason, scientists warn that the circumstances of this case cannot be extrapolated to the general population.

It has also not been shown that Shamonda can be transmitted from person to person.

The virus is already present in livestock farms in Spain

Although the French case is the first documented in humans, Shamonda is already circulating among animals in different parts of Europe.

In Spain, it has been identified in cattle in six provinces.

One of the most recent episodes was recorded in Girona, where on 20 October the presence of the virus was confirmed in three dairy farms.

In animals, the infection can cause fever and a drop in milk production, which is a concern for farmers.

Detection of the pathogen has also led to increased health monitoring to better understand its distribution.

How the Shamonda virus is transmitted

Shamonda spreads among ruminants through the bite of small insects of the genus Culicoides, known as biting midges.

These are tiny blood-feeding insects that can also transmit other diseases affecting livestock.

Among them is bluetongue, an infection that can have significant health and economic consequences for farms.

Transmission of Shamonda by these insects is documented in animals, but it is still unknown how the French patient became infected.

Specialists consider it essential to investigate the circumstances of the case before determining whether there are new routes of transmission or risks to people.

A virus known since the 1960s that is now spreading across Europe

Shamonda is not a newly discovered pathogen.

As explained by researcher José Francisco Rus Fons, from CSIC and the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, it has been known since the 1960s, when it was identified in Nigeria.

It was later detected in Japón y Sudáfrica, but its presence in Europe had not been documented until 2026.

What has caught researchers’ attention is the geographical spread achieved this year.

Among the European countries where detections or suspicions have been reported are Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Países Bajos, Luxembourg, Suiza y Liechtenstein, as well as Jersey.

This expansion has prompted animal health services and epidemiological authorities to monitor the virus.

Could it become a risk for people?

Shamonda belongs to the Orthobunyavirus genus, a group of ARN viruses that includes other pathogens capable of infecting humans.

However, belonging to the same family or group does not mean that all its members behave the same way or have the same level of risk.

Researchers want to study in detail the genetic material of the virus identified in France to see if it has any features that might help explain the human infection.

It will also be necessary to determine whether this is an exceptional episode related to the patient’s vulnerability.

For now, there is no evidence of sustained transmission between people, nor has a threat to the general population been identified.

What specialists recommend

Experts consulted by Science Media Centre España advise maintaining epidemiological surveillance without causing alarm.

Veterinarian and researcher Mónica González Candela, from the Universidad de Murcia, reminds us that protecting oneself from insect bites is a useful preventive measure against various diseases.

General recommendations include using repellent, wearing clothing that covers the skin, and avoiding, when possible, times of greatest insect activity.

If symptoms appear after a bite, especially after being in areas where vector-borne diseases circulate, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional and report possible exposure.

For his part, David Roiz, researcher at the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, highlights the importance of the One Health approach, which studies human, animal, and environmental health together.

The emergence of new episodes of transmission between species requires vigilance, especially in a context of environmental changes and the movement of animals and goods.

Is there cause for concern in Catalonia?

The detection of Shamonda in cattle farms in Girona confirms that the virus is present in the Catalan livestock sector.

However, circulation of the virus among animals does not mean there is a human outbreak.

The only documented case in a person is the one recorded in France, whose circumstances are still under investigation.

European health authorities are continuing to monitor the situation to better understand the behaviour of the pathogen and clarify whether it could pose any additional risk.

For now, the message from specialists is clear: the situation requires research and vigilance, but the available data do not justify alarm among the population.