Shamonda virus detected in human for first time in France

A man in France has become the first known human to contract Shamonda virus, a bunyavirus spread by midge bites. Investigations are underway to determine if the virus contributed to his death, as he was already seriously ill with a compromised immune system. Shamonda virus, previously found in livestock like cattle, sheep, and goats, can cause various symptoms in animals, including diarrhea and abortions. Genetic material of the virus has also been found in horses with neurological symptoms in Switzerland and Germany. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control confirmed this as the first recognized human infection, but experts believe the risk to the general public is very low, with no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

France has reported its first documented human case of the Shamonda virus in a patient who died in a Lyon hospital earlier in October. The French Ministry of Agriculture stated there is no current health risk to the general population. Shamonda is an insect-borne orthobunyavirus primarily transmitted to cattle by biting midges. Previously considered non-transmissible to humans, this case marks the first known human infection. Investigations suggest the patient was likely infected in eastern France, where the virus has been circulating among animals since spring. The virus has also been detected in cattle across several European countries, including Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.

French authorities have confirmed the first known human case of the Shamonda virus (Shav), a disease typically affecting cattle. The patient, who died in early October, was severely immunocompromised, and officials are characterizing this as an exceptional case with no current risk to the public. Shav is spread by infected midges and has previously been found in sheep, goats, alpacas, and horses, but not in humans. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is monitoring the situation. The patient was hospitalized in Lyon with neurological complications believed to be linked to the virus, and initial investigations suggest transmission occurred via a midge bite in eastern France, where animal cases were first identified in the spring.