A patient who died in early October has become the first known human case of Shamonda virus (Shav), according to French health authorities. The individual, who was severely immunocompromised, contracted the infection through a midge bite in eastern France, where animal cases were first identified in the spring. BBC News reported that officials described this as an "exceptional case" and stressed there is currently no risk to the general public.
The patient was hospitalised in Lyon and experienced neurological complications that were "very likely linked" to the virus based on initial findings. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed it is still examining whether the virus caused or contributed to the patient's death, as well as how the infection was acquired.
Shamonda virus is an Orthobunyavirus first detected in Nigeria in the mid-1960s, according to the French agriculture ministry. The pathogen has been reported sporadically in cattle across West, East and southern Africa, and in Japan, but human infection was previously unknown despite decades of circulation in those regions.
How does the virus spread?
Shav is transmitted by infected midges and primarily affects cattle, though cases have also been documented in sheep, goats, alpacas and horses. In dairy herds, the infection can trigger fever, diarrhoea and reduced milk production. The virus was considered non-transmissible to humans until this case emerged.
Where has the virus been detected?
The first cases of Shamonda virus in Europe were identified in late July. Since then, it has spread to farm animals across multiple countries. Beyond Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Jersey mentioned in initial reports, the ECDC has confirmed detections in Austria, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland.
What treatment options exist?
Currently, no commercially available vaccines exist against Shamonda virus. The focus remains on surveillance and investigation rather than preventive vaccination programmes at this stage.
What happens next?
French clinical, laboratory and epidemiological investigations are continuing with human, animal and environmental health experts collaborating on the response. The ECDC is working with French and European partners to investigate the "potential public health implications" of the infection. The case has also been reported to the World Health Organization. No completion date for the investigations has been announced.
