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First known human Shamonda virus case reported in France

· 2:47 · Health explained · With Maya and Grace

French health authorities have reported the first known human infection with Shamonda virus in France. The patient was being treated for a serious illness in Lyon and died in…

Transcript

Vocabulary in this episode
immunocompromised

The patient was severely immunocompromised, which means their immune system was very weak.

The patient’s body had a much weaker ability than usual to fight infections.

immune system

The patient was severely immunocompromised, which means their immune system was very weak.

This is the part of the body that fights infections and disease.

immune system

It matters because the patient’s serious illness and weak immune system make it difficult to judge what part, if any, the virus played in the death.

This means the body’s ability to fight infections was weak.

under way

It said investigations were still under way into whether the virus caused or contributed to the death, and how the patient acquired the infection.

The investigations were still happening and had not finished.

played a role

The ECDC said it was unclear whether Shamonda virus played a role in the death.

This means it was not known whether the virus helped cause the death.

acquired

It said investigations were still under way into whether the virus caused or contributed to the death, and how the patient acquired the infection.

Here, it means how the patient got the infection.

route of infection

The French health ministry has suggested a possible route of infection.

This means a possible way the infection entered the patient’s body.

Midges

Midges are small, biting insects.

These are very small insects that can bite.

midges

Shamonda virus is known to spread to animals through biting midges.

Here, these are the small insects that can pass the virus to animals by biting them.

circulating

The ministry also said the virus was circulating among animals in France during spring and summer.

The virus was present and spreading among animals in France.

detected

It was first detected in Nigeria in the mid-1960s, and it has been reported at times in cattle in parts of Africa and in Japan.

The virus was first found in Nigeria.

at times

It was first detected in Nigeria in the mid-1960s, and it has been reported at times in cattle in parts of Africa and in Japan.

This means on some occasions, but not all the time.

cattle

It was first detected in Nigeria in the mid-1960s, and it has been reported at times in cattle in parts of Africa and in Japan.

Cattle are farm animals such as cows and bulls.

cattle

It was identified on cattle farms in Europe for the first time this summer.

Here, cattle means farm animals such as cows and bulls.

judge

It matters because the patient’s serious illness and weak immune system make it difficult to judge what part, if any, the virus played in the death.

Here, it means to decide or understand how much the virus affected the death.

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