France reports world's first case of human infection with Shamonda virus

PARIS – French health authorities on Thursday reported the world's first documented case of human infection with the Shamonda virus. The patient died in early October, while authorities said no risk to the general population has been identified so far.

The Shamonda virus is primarily transmitted to animals through the bites of Culicoides midges. First identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s, the virus has since been reported sporadically among cattle in parts of West, East and Southern Africa, as well as in Japan. Despite its circulation in Africa and Asia for decades, no human infection had previously been officially documented.

According to health officials, the patient was severely immunocompromised and had been receiving treatment for a serious illness in Lyon, France. Preliminary investigations suggested that neurological complications experienced before the patient's death were likely associated with the infection.

Authorities believe the most likely source of infection was the bite of an infected Culicoides midge in eastern France. However, investigations into the case remain ongoing.

French health officials emphasized that the case was exceptional and involved a patient with a severely weakened immune system. They also confirmed that the incident had been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Authorities reiterated that no threat to the wider population has been identified at this stage.