The National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA) sees it as essential to intensify coordination between public health authorities, animal health services, and environmental health professionals to strengthen the surveillance of vector insects after the first human case of the Shamonda virus was confirmed. The entity insists that this joint work must be approached from a comprehensive strategy of prevention and control.
"This first human case is a signal that we must take seriously from a scientific and preventive point of view, but without falling into alarmism. There are still important issues to clarify, and it is essential that decisions are based on the available evidence and the evolution of research," says Manuel García Howlett, general director of ANECPLA.
The Shamonda virus primarily affects cattle, although it has also been identified in flocks of sheep and goats. Its spread among animals is linked to the bite of small insects of the genus Culicoides, popularly known as biting midges. Therefore, it is not about the most common mosquitoes in urban areas, but rather other blood-sucking dipterans whose presence and activity depend, among other factors, on the species, geographical area, and weather conditions.
The pathogen was first identified in farm animals in Europe during the summer of 2026 and, since then, has been located in livestock farms in several European countries, including Spain. The detection of an infection in a person opens a different scenario that requires deeper investigation, although by itself it does not imply that there is sustained transmission between humans or a widespread risk to the public.
"The surveillance of vectors is an essential piece of prevention. To anticipate possible risks, we need to know what species are present, where they are located, what their activity is, and what pathogens they may transmit. This information allows us to guide control measures and act proportionately, based on the real risk," explains García Howlett.
In this line, ANECPLA emphasizes that vector management must be based on technical criteria, constant monitoring, and actions tailored to the characteristics of each environment. Early detection, entomological monitoring, and professional intervention when appropriate contribute to strengthening the response capacity against emerging situations.
For the association, the main conclusion of this episode is the importance of addressing health risks from a global perspective. Human health, animal health, and the environment are closely connected, so cooperation between these fields is key to identifying changes, sharing data, and implementing effective preventive measures.
"Emerging risks do not recognize boundaries between disciplines. Environmental health must be part of a coordinated strategy with public health and animal health. Only through collaboration, information exchange, and the work of specialized professionals can we improve our capacity for anticipation and response," says Manuel García Howlett.