#Shamonda virus in #human - #France (#WHO D.O.N., November 5 '26)

 

Situation at a glance

    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.

Description of the situation

    On 20 October 2026, the National IHR Focal Point of France notified WHO of a laboratory-confirmed human infection with Shamonda virus. 

    The case was an immunocompromised older adult male who was hospitalized on 18 August 2026 for his underlying illness. 

    He developed neurological signs on 23 September, including visual disturbances, confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures. 

    A diagnosis of severe encephalitis was made on 25 September, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected. He died on 8 October.

    Virological findings of SHAV were identified by metagenomics on the CSF samples from 25 September, and the French health authorities were notified on 7 October. 

    The sequence belonged to the SHAV-EU1 genotype and is 99% genomically identical to a virus circulating in neighbouring Switzerland, and the sequence retrieved covered approximately 90% of the genome. 

    Retrospective testing of serum samples collected in early July through October, as well as faecal, urine, saliva and respiratory samples, confirmed the presence of SHAV RNA by RT-PCR. 

    Post-mortem biopsies of the brain, liver and spleen showed very high viral genomic loads. 

    A wide panel of tests for other encephalitis pathogens returned negative results. 

    The patient lived in rural eastern France, where animal SHAV transmission has been documented since July 2026, and had not travelled in the preceding year. 

    The patient received multiple blood transfusions between February and October 2026 for his underlying illness.

    Testing performed by the French Blood Establishment (EFS) and the National Reference Center for Arboviruses (CNR) on blood donors linked to transfused red blood cell units was negative for Shamonda virus, making transfusion-associated transmission unlikely, although it cannot be completely excluded at this stage. 

    Epidemiological investigations around the case have not identified a specific source of exposure, although mosquito exposure was reported. 

    Serological investigations are also being conducted among close contacts of the patient.

    Although foodborne transmission is currently considered unlikely, investigations are ongoing to assess the potential excretion of Shamonda virus in the milk of infected cattle and to better characterize any potential implications for food safety. 

    In parallel, veterinary and entomological investigations are continuing to further clarify the vector(s), the ecology, transmission pathways, and public health significance of the virus.

    This is the first laboratory confirmed human case of Shamonda virus disease reported globally. 

    No additional human cases have been detected to date.

Epidemiology

    SHAV belongs to the family Peribunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus, within the Simbu serogroup. It belongs to the same species as Schmallenberg virus (ie Orthobunyavirus schmallenbergense). It was first isolated from cattle in Nigeria in the 1960s and has subsequently been identified in animals in parts of Africa, Japan and Europe. 

    Until the recently reported human case, SHAV was recognized primarily as an animal-associated virus, like the closely related Schmallenberg virus circulating in Europe, with no documented human infections. 

    As this is the first confirmed human infection reported globally, there is currently insufficient evidence to assess the extent to which SHAV infects humans or causes disease.

    SHAV was detected for the first time in Europe during the summer of 2026 with confirmed or suspected infections reported in cattle, horses and alpacas in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. 

    As of 21 October 2026, additional European countries and territories have reported SHAV detections in animals: Austria, Ireland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. 

    In metropolitan France, as of 20 October, the available reports indicate animal detections in 54 departments, predominantly in cattle.

    Two distinct variants of SHAV have been identified in animals in Europe: SHAV-EU1, reported in Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland, and SHAV-EU2, identified in Belgium, the Netherlands, northern Germany and northwestern France. 

    Based on current knowledge, SHAV is a vector-borne disease and it is not considered to spread directly between animals. 

    It appears to be transmitted primarily by biting midges of the genus Culicoides, although the main vector species remain unknown. 

    Culicoides (midges) are widespread, and climate change may alter their geographical distribution and abundance, potentially affecting the transmission of vector-borne pathogens in Europe, including Simbu serogroup orthobunyaviruses such as Schmallenberg virus, as well as orbiviruses like bluetongue and African horse sickness viruses. 

    Furthermore, wind-assisted dispersal of infected Culicoides over long distances may also contribute to the introduction and spread of midge-borne viruses into previously unaffected areas, although its role in SHAV transmission requires further investigation. Vertical transmission from mother to fetus during gestation in animals can also occur.  

    In cattle, reported signs include acute systemic illness, such as fever, diarrhoea, reduced activity or appetite, and reduced milk production. 

    Neurological disease has been observed in horses with SHAV-positive brain tissue. 

    Congenital malformations have occurred during gestational infection with related Simbu serogroup orthobunyaviruses in animals. However, the full effects of SHAV, including recently detected European strains, on pregnancy, reproduction and fetal development in animals require further investigation. 

    Given the concurrent circulation of bluetongue virus in Europe and the overlap in clinical signs, veterinary surveillance and laboratory-based differential diagnosis are important. 

    Laboratory confirmation relies on molecular methods, such as RT-PCR, with sequencing or further testing where indicated. 

    No specific antiviral treatment or vaccine is currently available for SHAV; animal-health prevention measures focus on reducing exposure to biting midges, livestock management practices and routine farm biosecurity. 

    Given the potential for overlapping neurological or systemic clinical presentations in animals with other viral infections, such as West Nile virus (WNV), retrospective investigations may be warranted among equine cases presenting with clinical signs compatible with SHAV infection that tested negative for WNV. 

    In addition, testing of samples from WNV-positive horses could help assess the occurrence of possible co-infections and better characterize the contribution of SHAV to equine disease. 

    Such investigations would support a more accurate assessment of the epidemiology, clinical impact and geographical distribution of SHAV in the European equine population.

    The emergence of SHAV in Europe warrants continued epidemiological surveillance and assessment by national veterinary authorities and the public health authorities in Europe using a coordinated One Health approach.  

    As of October 2026, SHAV was not included in the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) list of reportable diseases; however, where SHAV meets the definition of an emerging disease, veterinary authorities are required to notify WOAH in accordance with Article 1.1.5 of the Terrestrial Health Code. 

Public health response

Notification by authorities to WHO and regional bodies.

    Clinical, biological and epidemiological investigations are continuing in conjunction with experts in human, animal and environmental health.

WHO risk assessment

    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. 

WHO advice

    In view of the limited evidence on the zoonotic potential of SHAV, the following actions are recommended:

        ° Strengthened surveillance and information sharing. 

            § Continue animal surveillance for SHAV and other orthobunyavirus and consider appropriate human surveillance such as serosurveys, with timely information sharing between veterinary and public health authorities. 

            § Suspected human infections should be investigated in accordance with national procedures and available diagnostic capacity.

        ° Further investigation of the circumstances surrounding the reported case should seek to clarify the source of infection, including the potential contribution of vector exposure.

        ° Assessment of the potential for infection across different population groups. Further analysis of viral genotype and phenotype is required to better understand its potential for transmission to humans.

        ° Should additional human cases be identified, investigations should aim to characterize clinical presentation and outcomes, taking account of immune status and relevant underlying conditions or treatments.

        ° Improved diagnostic and epidemiological understanding, including laboratory investigation and characterization of any suspected cases.  

            § SHAV should be considered and tested for in people with relevant symptoms when occupational and/or environmental exposure may be compatible, until the risk to humans is better understood. 

            § Collaboration between human and animal health services can help identify possible epidemiological links and improve understanding of the virus's transmission pathways.

        ° Strengthened entomological investigations. 

            § Entomological studies should be enhanced to identify the Culicoides species and potentially other vectors involved in SHAV transmission and assess their geographical distribution, seasonal dynamics and vector competence. 

            § Improved understanding of the vectors involved would support both animal and public health risk assessments and help inform surveillance prevention and control strategies.

        ° Promoting One Health investigations to better characterize SHAV circulation. 

            § Investigations in animal populations, including species that may serve as sentinels of viral circulation, can provide valuable information on the geographical spread, transmission dynamics and clinical impact of SHAV. 

            § Improved understanding of animal infections may help identify areas of possible human exposure and support public health risk assessment.

        ° Maintaining proportionate risk communication. Communication should clearly distinguish the established circulation of SHAV in animals from the still-limited evidence of human infection.

        ° Review the risk assessment as evidence evolves. The assessment should be updated if additional human infections are identified, the route of transmission is clarified, or new evidence emerges regarding the clinical consequences of infection in immunocompromised or immunocompetent individuals. 

        ° Continued surveillance, targeted investigation and coordination between human and animal health authorities are warranted to address uncertainties and inform any subsequent adjustment of public health risk assessment and guidance. 

Further information

    • Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy and Disability Affairs, France: https://sante.gouv.fr/actualites-presse/presse/communiques-de-presse/article/virus-shamonda-une-premiere-detection-chez-l-etre-humain   

    • Fatal encephalitis caused by Shamonda virus Europe 1 (SHAV-EU1) in a patient with a severely weakened immune system, France, 2026. https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.42.2600883   

    • Ministry of agriculture, agri-food and food sovereignty, France: Shamonda virus: a first detection in humans. https://agriculture.gouv.fr/virus-shamonda-une-premiere-detection-chez-letre-humain    

    • Ministry of agriculture, agri-food and food sovereignty, France: Cases of orthobunyavirus infection in dairy cows. https://agriculture.gouv.fr/cas-dinfections-de-vaches-laitieres-par-un-orthobunyavirus     

    • Public Health Agency (Santé publique France) France. https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/les-actualites/virus-shamonda-un-premier-cas-humain-detecte-en-france-que-sait  

    • Health Food chain safety environment, Belgium: Shamonda-like virus: information and frequently asked questions. https://www.health.belgium.be/fr/outils/shamonda-virus-informations-questions-frequentes   

    • Swiss federal authorities, Institute of virology and immunology: Shamonda virus in Switzerland. https://www.ivi.admin.ch/en/neues-orthobunyavirus-der-simbu-serogruppe-bei-rindern-entdeckte    

    • USCDC: Emergence of Shamonda Orthobunyavirus, Central Europe, 2026. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/12/26-1496_article    

    • Plateforme ESA, France. https://plateforme-esa.fr/fr/un-nouveau-virus-apparente-au-virus-schmallenberg-agent-causal-potentiel-de-cas-epizootiques-de  

    • European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Identification and mapping of potential and highly likely vectors for selected vector-borne diseases in the EU and neighbouring countries. https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10061   

    • WOAH, Schmallenberg virus. https://www.woah.org/app/uploads/2021/03/a-schmallenberg-virus.pdf    

    • WOAH, Bunyaviral disease of animals. https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.10.01_BUNYAVIRAL_DISEASES.pdf  

Citable reference: World Health Organization (1 November 2026). Disease Outbreak News; Shamonda virus in human, France. Available at:  https://www/who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak.news.item/2026-DON623     

Source: World Health Organization, https://www/who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak.news.item/2026-DON623

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#Fatal Disseminated #Powassan Virus #Infection in #Transplant Recipient, #Pennsylvania, #USA

 

Abstract

We describe histopathologic findings from a fatal case of Powassan virus lineage 2 (deer tick virus) in an immunosuppressed liver transplant patient in Pennsylvania, USA. We confirmed infection in postmortem brain, lung, and kidney by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and reverse transcription PCR, demonstrating infection of pulmonary and renal tissues.

Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3212.260193

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Molecular #Surveillance for #Oropouche, #Mayaro, West Nile, and Saint Louis #Encephalitis Viruses, #Brazil, 2019–2025

 

Abstract

To assess the circulation of Oropouche, Mayaro, West Nile, and St. Louis encephalitis viruses, we tested samples from 824 patients with acute febrile illness, 3,484 mosquitoes, and 113 nonhuman primates from northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. All samples were negative for dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika virus. One imported Oropouche virus infection was detected.

Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3212.260870

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#WHO Rapid #Risk #Assessment -Yellow fever, WHO African Region v.1 (Oct. 31 '26)

{Summary}

Risk statement

    This rapid risk assessment was triggered by the recent increase in yellow fever activity in a limited number of countries in West and Central Africa, within the broader group of countries classified as high risk for  yellow fever in the WHO African Region. 

    It focuses primarily on the evolving situations in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Liberia, while considering relevant  developments in other affected countries where necessary. 

    It assesses the public health risk associated with ongoing yellow fever  transmission in the WHO African Region during 2026, considering the impact on  human health, the potential for geographical spread, including cross-border  spread, and the risk of insufficient control capacity. 

    It builds on the Global Rapid Risk Assessment for yellow fever that was  finalized on 5 June 2026 and incorporates regional information available up to 12  October 2026.

    Between 1 January and 12 October 2026, 67 confirmed cases including 18 deaths were recorded in nine countries in the WHO African Region.

    However, the most recent cases were concentrated in Burkina Faso, Côte  d’Ivoire, Ghana and Liberia, particularly in districts near international borders. 

    Differences in reporting cut-off dates and case classifications across  available sources affect the comparability of regional epidemiological data.

    The likelihood of continued transmission and additional human cases is  considered likely. Several affected districts have previously identified immunity  gaps, including areas where preventive vaccination has not been implemented or  where population immunity remains insufficient despite past vaccination activities. 

    Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated populations remain at highest risk,  particularly among rural and forestedge communities, mobile and cross-border  populations, and people with occupational exposure in forested, agricultural and  mining environments.

    The concentration of outbreaks in border areas increases the potential for  further geographical spread. 

    Population mobility, frequent crossborder movement, trade, agricultural  activities, pastoral movements and mining operations may facilitate transmission  between affected and neighbouring countries. 

    Introduction into densely populated urban or peri-urban areas with  established Aedes aegypti populations and low population immunity could result  in larger outbreaks and place additional pressure on response capacities. 

    Environmental and seasonal factors, including rainfall, temperature and  vector abundance, may influence transmission dynamics. Evolving El Niño  conditions may further modify the environmental and operational context but  should not be considered a direct cause of the outbreaks.

    The region has important capacities, including established surveillance  systems, a regional laboratory network, routine and reactive vaccination mechanisms, outbreak-response experience, access to the  international emergency vaccine stockpile and activated response structures.

    However, persistent immunity gaps, surveillance and laboratory challenges,  delays in specimen referral and confirmation, insecurity, access constraints, operational challenges to reach unprotected at-risk  communities, funding constraints and competing public health emergencies continue to affect timely detection, investigation, and control. 

    The simultaneous occurrence of outbreaks and epidemic signals in  multiple countries increases demand for laboratory confirmation, vaccination  activities, outbreak investigations and cross-border coordination.

    Based on the likelihood of continued transmission, the risk of cross-border spread, documented immunity gaps and operational constraints affecting  outbreak control, the overall public health risk is assessed as moderate in the WHO African Region, with moderate confidence. 

    The global risk remains low, with high confidence, as transmission remains  concentrated in areas with a history of yellow fever circulation and established  international response mechanisms remain available. 

    Confidence in the regional assessment is moderate because reporting cut- off dates and case classifications vary across available sources, some laboratory  results remain pending, entomological information is limited, and cases may be  under detected in remote or insecure areas. 

    Confidence is high regarding the hazard and established transmission routes, but lower for the magnitude and geographical extent of current  transmission because of differences in national reporting cut-offs and case classifications, pending confirmatory testing, incomplete reconciliation of line  lists and laboratory results, limited entomological information, and possible under- detection in remote or insecure areas.

    The assessment will be updated as new epidemiological, laboratory and operational information becomes available

(...)

Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/who-rapid-risk-assessment--yellow-fever--who-african-region-v.1

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#Italy, #WNV e #Usutu virus Infection in #Humans #Surveillance - Weekly Report (Oct. 29 '26): 787 cases with 61 deaths so far

 

{Summary}

(...)

    • Since the beginning of the season and as of 28 October '26, 787 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus infection have been reported (they were 777 in the last week report), 

        ° Of these: 

            ° 422 were West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) (5 were imported: 1 from Maldives, 1 France, 1 Belgium, 1 Greece and 1 the Netherlands), 

            ° 96 were asymptomatic cases in blood donors, 

            ° 263 were West Nile Fever cases, 

            ° 5 unspecified cases, 

            ° 1 asymptomatic case.

    • 88 Provinces reported West Nile Virus circulation, in 20 Regions; 

    • Among confirmed WNND cases, 61 deaths have been recorded with a Case-Fatality Rate of 14.4% (in 2025, it was 19.6%).

    • This season so far, 19 cases of Usutu virus have been confirmed (8 in Lombardy, 1 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 2 Marche, 4 Latium, 1 Piedmont, 2 Veneto).

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.epicentro.iss.it/westnile/bollettino/Bollettino_WND_2026_14.pdf

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Identification of #Usutu virus in #blood #donors as part of molecular screening for #WNV, #France, 2023

 

Abstract

BACKGROUND

West Nile Virus (WNV) can be transmitted via blood transfusion and lead to neuroinvasive forms in recipients of blood products.

AIM

We aimed to investigate WNV and Usutu virus (USUV) infections among blood donors in France.

METHODS

Blood donations in 18 of 96 departments of metropolitan France and from travellers returning from affected areas were screened prospectively for WNV using a commercial nucleic acid test (NAT). In addition, stored samples from blood donations in the affected departments were retrospectively tested with RT-qPCR. Differentiation between WNV and USUV infections in NAT-positive samples was done with a RT-qPCR or by seroneutralisation after seroconversion.

RESULTS

Between 18 July and 1 December 2023, 34 (0.018%) of 185,965 blood donation samples were initially positive for WNV. After investigations, 20 donors with USUV infections (16 confirmed, four probable) and five with WNV infections (three confirmed, two probable) were identified. In samples from four donors, WNV and USUV could not be differentiated, and five samples remained indeterminate. Seventeen USUV infections were considered autochthonous: nine departments in the southern and central parts of France, including two departments where WNV was also detected. Infections with USUV were detected between 21 July and 17 October and WNV between 23 August and 20 September.

CONCLUSION

Via screening of blood donations, we could identify the circulation of USUV in 2023 in large parts of metropolitan France. A One Health approach is required to better understand the determinants of USUV circulation in France and the clinical consequences of USUV infections in humans.

Source: Eurosurveillance Weekly, https://www.eurosurveillance.org/

Link: https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.43.2600044

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#Identification and Characterization of #Wenshan #Mosquito Virus, a Putative Novel Bisegmented #RNA Virus from Mosquitoes in #Yunnan Province, #China

 

Abstract

Mosquito-associated viruses pose significant public health threats globally, with Yunnan Province in southwestern China representing a critical hotspot for arboviral emergence. In this study, 2612 female mosquitoes belonging to three species (Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Anopheles sinensis, and Culex quinquefasciatus) were collected from Wenshan during summer 2023. Viral metatranscriptomic analysis identified a novel bisegmented positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus, designated Wenshan mosquito virus (WSMV). Its genome comprises 4741 nucleotides across two segments: Segment 1 (3127 nt) encodes an S39 family peptidase and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), while Segment-2 (1614 nt) encodes a capsid protein and a hypothetical protein. Pairwise nucleotide identity analysis revealed 87.62% and 86.96% identity with Hubei mosquito virus 2 (HMV-2) for Segments 1 and 2, respectively. Given the absence of established species demarcation criteria for this lineage, WSMV is described as a putative novel virus within the HMV-2-related group. Phylogenetic analyses using a common taxon set placed WSMV consistently with HMV-2 across both segments. WSMV was detected in Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Anopheles sinensis pools (MIR 2.08 and 1.54 per 1000, respectively), but not in the limited number of Culex quinquefasciatus pools tested; the host range of WSMV therefore remains to be fully defined. This study expands knowledge of mosquito-associated viral diversity in Yunnan’s border regions and provides a molecular foundation for future investigations.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/v18111201

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#Oropouche Fever #Outbreak, #Havana, #Cuba, June–September 2024

 

Abstract

Oropouche fever emerged nationwide in Cuba in 2024. We investigated the outbreak in Havana; of 549 suspected cases, 189 (34.4%) were confirmed. No cases were severe. Incidence was 8.9/100,000 population and was highest in adults 27–59 years of age (10.2/100,000 population). Three infants tested positive. Dengue cocirculation challenged surveillance.

Source: 

Link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/12/25-1334_article

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#Vector competence of #Aedes albopictus and #Culex quinquefasciatus for #Oropouche virus

 

Abstract

Oropouche virus (OROV) is an arthropod-borne virus transmitted mainly by Culicoides paraensis midges in Latin America and the Caribbean, though evidence suggests occasional transmission by mosquitoes. Oropouche fever has been reported primarily in the Amazon Basin since the 1950s. In 2024, the number of Oropouche fever cases rose sharply and spread beyond the Amazon region, which has been associated with the emergence of a new reassortant OROV strain. We assessed whether increased case numbers could be explained by enhanced replication or transmission of the reassortant strain in peri-urban Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus. Laboratory colonies established from Salvador, Brazil were orally exposed to the ancestral OROV strain BeAn 19991 or the contemporary strain 240023 (10⁴–10⁶ PFU/mL), and viral replication was quantified in bodies, legs, and saliva. To evaluate the influence of mosquito genotype on infection outcomes, infection rates were compared between Ae. albopictus from Salvador City (Brazil) and Houston (USA). In Cx. quinquefasciatus, the outbreak strain replicated less efficiently than the historical strain at low viral doses but not at high infection doses. Regardless of strain or dose, vector competence was extremely low, with only 0–1% of mosquitoes exhibiting infectious OROV particles in their saliva after extrinsic incubation. Conversely, Ae. albopictus showed consistently higher body infection rates for the 240023 strain than for BeAn 19991 at both low and high doses. However, overall transmission potential remained limited: only 0–6.4% of leg or saliva samples were positive across OROV strains and doses. The higher infection rates of the 240023 strain was consistent across both Ae. albopictus genotypes, but infectious saliva was detected only in mosquitoes from the Salvador line (up to 20%) and not in the Houston line (0%). Taken together, this suggests that the recent geographic expansion of OROV is unlikely to be driven by a vector shift from midges to these mosquitoes. Importantly, our findings do indicate higher infectivity of the 240023 strain in Ae. albopictus across different mosquito lines which may have future implications for further adaptation to OROV.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0014656

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Seasonal #surveillance in #humans in 2026 for #WNV - Weekly updates (ECDC, Oct. 23 '26): 1,965 cases of which 770 in #Italy

{Summary}

(...)

Current situation

    Since the beginning of the 2026 transmission season, and as at 21 October, 229 areas affected by West Nile virus (WNV) have been identified in 20 countries across Europe.

    These areas are located in: 

        § Italy (70), 

        § France (30), 

        § Greece (25), 

        § Romania (24), 

        § the Netherlands (16), 

        § Serbia (11), 

        § Bulgaria (7), 

        § Belgium (6), 

        § Croatia (6), 

        § Germany (6), 

        § Spain (6), 

        § North Macedonia (5), 

        § Hungary (4), 

        § Kosovo (4), 

        § Austria (3), 

        § Albania (2), 

        § Cyprus (1), 

        § Moldova (1), 

        § Slovakia (1) and 

        § Slovenia (1).

    This week, seven areas are reported as affected for the first time this season. (...)

    The 20 countries have reported 1 965 locally acquired human cases of WNV infection: 

        § Italy (770 cases), 

        § Greece (457 cases of which 6 had an unknown place of infection), 

        § France (173 cases), 

        § Spain (145 cases), 

        § Romania (125 cases), 

        § North Macedonia (71 cases), 

        § the Netherlands (63 cases of which 1 had an unknown place of infection), 

        § Serbia (59 cases), 

        § Cyprus (21 cases), 

        § Croatia (18 cases), 

        § Belgium (15 cases), 

        § Austria (8 cases), 

        § Bulgaria (8 cases), 

        § Kosovo (8 cases), 

        § Albania (7 cases), 

        § Germany (7 cases), 

        § Hungary (5 cases), 

        § Slovenia (3 cases), 

        § Moldova (1 case) and 

        § Slovakia (1 case).

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/west-nile-fever/surveillance-and-disease-data/disease-data-ecdc

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First #human case of #Shamonda virus reported in #France as patient dies (UN News Centre, Oct. 23 '26)

 

The virus is mainly found in livestock, especially cattle, sheep, goats, horses and alpacas.

    It is thought to be spread by the bites of midges – tiny biting flies – though the World Health Organization (WHO) has said further studies are needed to understand how it is transmitted.

    There are currently no commercially available vaccines against Shamonda virus, according to the internationally recognised World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Vulnerable patient

    The unidentified patient, who died in early October, had been receiving treatment for a serious illness and was immunocompromised, making him more vulnerable to infection than the general public, according to a statement from the French health and agriculture ministries.

    French authorities say that no health risk to the general public has been identified so far.

    He had been in an area where the virus was circulating among animals and where Culicoides midges were present, WHO said.

    The UN health agency’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his condolences to the man’s loved ones.

    He said WHO was working with French authorities to establish how the patient became infected, possible routes of transmission and any potential risk to public health.

Source: 

Link: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/10/1168652

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#Italy, #Human #Infection with #WNV & #Usutu Virus #Surveillance, Weekly Report (ISS, Oct. 22 '26): 777 cases and 61 deaths so far

{Summary}

(...)

    ° Since the beginning of the 2026 arboviral season and as of Oct. 21 '26,  777 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection have been reported (they were 770 in last week report); 

    ° Of these: 

        § 414 were West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) (including five imported cases: 1 from Maldives, 1 France, 1 Belgium, 1 Greece and 1 the Netherlands), 

        § 95 asymptomatic cases among blood donors, 

        § 262 cases of West Nile Fever, 

        § 5 unspecified cases, 

        § 1 asymptomatic case.

    ° 88 Provinces in 20 Regions had confirmed WNV circulation,

    ° 61 deaths have been recorded in WNND cases. The Case-Fatality Rate is thus far at 14.7% (it was 19.2% in 2025).

    ° This season so far 19 cases of human infection with Usutu virus were confirmed (8 in Lombardy, 1 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 2 Marche, 4 Latium, 1 Piedmont, 2 Veneto).

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

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(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.epicentro.iss.it/westnile/bollettino/Bollettino_WND_2026_13.pdf

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#Oropouche virus #infection in #pregnant women in #Rio de Janeiro, #Brazil: a prospective cohort study

 

Summary

Background

Although adverse maternal and infant outcomes have been reported following Oropouche virus infection, the frequencies of these outcomes have not been compared with those in uninfected pregnancies. We followed up pregnant women from areas with Oropouche virus transmission in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, to evaluate potential adverse maternal and infant outcomes following Oropouche virus exposure.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study across the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we included pregnant women receiving prenatal care in municipalities with or at high risk of Oropouche virus outbreaks. Inclusion criteria were: ongoing risk of Oropouche virus infection at the time of prenatal visit; prenatal care at one of the participating sites; and willingness and ability to consent to and participate in the study. Exclusion criteria included infection with other arboviruses and fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Maternal blood, urine, and saliva were collected and tested for Oropouche virus by RT-PCR at enrolment and pregnancy endpoints. IgG and IgM serologies from maternal blood, placental tissue PCR, and immunohistochemistry were done. Confirmed infections were defined by: positive Oropouche virus PCR in blood, urine, saliva, or placenta; positive Oropouche virus placental immunohistochemistry; or Oropouche virus-specific IgM or IgG seroconversion. Possible infection was defined as one positive IgM result without a positive PCR. Negative results ruled out infection. Adverse maternal outcomes (reported by study investigators following up participants at study sites) were maternal death or disability, fetal loss, or haemorrhage; adverse infant outcomes were neonatal death or malformations. Relative risks adjusted for maternal age, other congenital infections, and use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs during pregnancy for adverse maternal and infant outcomes were calculated.

Findings

Between Nov 29, 2024, and Oct 8, 2025, 544 participants were enrolled: 130 (24%) with confirmed, 143 (26%) with possible, and 271 (50%) with no Oropouche virus infection. The median cycle threshold value of RT-PCR was 29·7 (IQR 25·8–34·9). Among the 130 women with confirmed infection, 104 (80%) developed detectable IgG antibodies. Symptoms were present in 80 (62%) women with confirmed infection, not necessarily associated with adverse outcomes (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 0∙84 [95% credible interval 0∙51–1∙21]). By the end of follow-up, the pregnancies of 119 women with confirmed infection and 193 with no infection had resulted in livebirth, stillbirth, or miscarriage; 105 (88%) women with confirmed infection had livebirths and 187 (97%) women without infection had livebirths. Adverse maternal outcomes occurred in 21 (18%) women with confirmed infection and 14 (7%) women with no infection (aRR 2∙90 [1∙52–5∙35]). Fetal loss and haemorrhage risk were three times higher in women with confirmed infection than in those with no infection (aRR 3∙08 [1∙28–7∙29] for fetal loss and 2∙79 [1∙22–6∙21] for haemorrhage). The aRR for adverse infant outcomes was 9∙18 (1∙89–47∙88). CNS abnormalities occurred in eight (8%) infants of mothers with confirmed infection and in no infants of mothers with no infection.

Interpretation

Oropouche virus infection during pregnancy is associated with severe maternal and infant outcomes, including maternal haemorrhage, fetal loss, and infant CNS abnormalities.

Funding

The Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), and the European Health and Digital Executive Agency.

Translation

For the Portuguese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Source: 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(26)00493-7

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Seasonal #surveillance in #humans in 2026 for #WNV - Weekly updates (ECDC, Oct. 16 '26): 1,926 cases of which 764 in #Italy

 

{Summary}

Current situation

    Since the beginning of the 2026 transmission season, and as at 14 October, 222 areas affected by West Nile virus (WNV) have been identified in 19 countries across Europe.

    These areas are located in: 

        § Italy (70), 

        § France (28), 

        § Greece (25), 

        § Romania (24), 

        § the Netherlands (15), 

        § Serbia (10), 

        § Belgium (6), 

        § Bulgaria (6), 

        § Croatia (6), 

        § Germany (6), 

        § Spain (6), 

        § North Macedonia (5), 

        § Hungary (4), 

        § Kosovo (4), 

        § Austria (3), 

        § Albania (2), 

        § Cyprus (1) and 

        § Slovenia (1).

    This week, 14 areas are reported as affected for the first time this season. (...)

    The 19 countries have reported 1 926 locally acquired human cases of WNV infection: 

        § Italy (764 cases), 

        § Greece (455 cases of which 6 had an unknown place of infection), 

        § France (159 cases), 

        § Spain (141 cases), 

        § Romania (121 cases), 

        § North Macedonia (70 cases), 

        § the Netherlands (59 cases of which 1 had an unknown place of infection), 

        § Serbia (57 cases), 

        § Cyprus (21 cases), 

        § Croatia (18 cases), 

        § Belgium (15 cases), 

        § Austria (8 cases), 

        § Kosovo (8 cases), 

        § Albania (7 cases), 

        § Bulgaria (7 cases), 

        § Germany (7 cases), 

        § Hungary (5 cases), 

        § Slovenia (3 cases) and 

        § Moldova (1 case of which 1 had an unknown place of infection).

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/west-nile-fever/surveillance-and-disease-data/disease-data-ecdc

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#Italy, 2026 Season #WNV & #Usutu Virus #Surveillance - Weekly #Report (Oct. 16 '26): 770 cases with 61 deaths

 

{Summary}

    • Since the beginning of 2026 seasonal surveillance and as of October 14 '26, 770 human cases of infection with West Nile Virus have been reported in Italy (they were 754 in last week report), 

    ° Of these, 

        § 411 were West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) of which 5 imported: 1 from Maldives, 1 France, 1 Belgium, 1 Greece and 1 the Netherlands, 

        § 96 were asymptomatic cases among blood donors, 

        § 257 were West Nile Fever cases, 

        § 1 was an asymptomatic case.

    ° So far this season, 88 Provinces reported WNV circulation in 20 Regions.

    ° Among WNND cases, 61 deaths were recorded. 

        § The Case-Fatality Rate is now 14.8% (in 2025, it was 18.8%).

    ° This season, 18 human cases of infection with Usutu virus have been confirmed (8 in Lombardy, 1 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 2 Marche, 3 Latium, 1 Piedmont, 2 Veneto).

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.epicentro.iss.it/westnile/bollettino/Bollettino_WND_2026_12.pdf

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Seasonal #surveillance in #humans in 2026 for #WVN - Weekly Report (ECDC, Oct. 9 '26): 1,855 cases so far of which 748 in #Italy

 

{Summary}

(...)

Week 41, 2026 | Published on 9 October 2026, based on data submitted up until and including 7 October 2026.

Current situation

    ° Since the beginning of the 2026 transmission season, and as at 7 October, 208 areas affected by West Nile virus (WNV) have been identified in 18 countries across Europe.

    These areas are located in: 

        § Italy (67), 

        § France (26), 

        § Greece (25), 

        § Romania (24), 

        § the Netherlands (15), 

        § Serbia (10), 

        § Belgium (6), 

        § Spain (6), 

        § Croatia (5), 

        § North Macedonia (5), 

        § Hungary (4), 

        § Kosovo (4), 

        § Austria (3), 

        § Germany (3), 

        § Albania (2), 

        § Bulgaria (2) and 

        § Cyprus (1).

    This week, six areas are reported as affected for the first time this season. (...)

    The 18 countries have reported 1 855 locally acquired human cases of WNV infection: 

        § Italy (748 cases of which 1 had an unknown place of infection), 

        § Greece (445 cases of which 6 had an unknown place of infection), 

        § France (144 cases), 

        § Spain (139 cases), 

        § Romania (117 cases), 

        § North Macedonia (70 cases), 

        § the Netherlands (59 cases of which 1 had an unknown place of infection), 

        § Serbia (57 cases), 

        § Croatia (16 cases), 

        § Belgium (15 cases), 

        § Cyprus (13 cases), 

        § Austria (8 cases), 

        § Kosovo (8 cases), 

        § Hungary (5 cases), 

        § Albania (4 cases), 

        § Germany (4 cases), 

        § Bulgaria (2 cases) and 

        § Moldova (1 case of which 1 had an unknown place of infection).

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/west-nile-fever/surveillance-and-disease-data/disease-data-ecdc

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