France Reports First Human Case of Shamonda Virus
Source reports published 22 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 23 Oct 2026, 12:26 am AEST
A man in France has become the first known human to contract Shamonda virus, a virus previously found in livestock. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of infection and assess any potential public health risk.
What happened
- A severely immunocompromised patient in Lyon, France, died in early October after contracting Shamonda virus.
- The virus, typically found in cattle and other livestock, was detected in the patient’s body.
- The virus is transmitted by biting midges.
- The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) stated that the infection was an exceptional case involving a patient with a compromised immune system.
- French authorities reported that the patient was likely infected through a midge bite in eastern France, where the virus was circulating among animals.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the case is isolated and unlikely to lead to wider spread.
- Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the infection and whether the virus contributed to the patient’s death.
Original reporting
- Guardian: Shamonda virus detected in human for first time in France
2026-10-22T00:00:00+00:00 - PBS NewsHour: France reports first human case of livestock virus Shamonda in patient who later died
2026-10-22T14:26:05+00:00 - Deutsche Welle: France confirms first Shamonda virus infection in a human
2026-10-22T12:46:39.326000+00:00