French health authorities have confirmed the first documented human case of the Shamonda virus, a disease previously known to affect animals, particularly cattle.
The patient, who was severely immunocompromised and receiving treatment for a serious illness at a hospital in Lyon, died in early October. Officials said the patient developed neurological complications that were considered very likely to be linked to the infection.
Despite the discovery, health authorities have stressed that there is currently no evidence of a wider public health threat.
The French health and agriculture ministries described the infection as an exceptional case involving a patient whose weakened immune system may have increased their vulnerability to the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that this is the first documented human infection with the virus.
How did the patient contract the virus?
Initial investigations suggest the patient may have contracted the virus through the bite of an infected midge in eastern France.
Authorities said Shamonda virus had been identified in animals in the region earlier in the year. Investigators are continuing to examine how the virus crossed from animals to humans.
The ministries noted that the disease had circulated in Africa and Asia for decades without previously documented human infections.
Until this case, Shamonda virus was considered incapable of infecting humans.
The circumstances surrounding the infection are therefore being closely examined by French authorities and international health agencies.
What is Shamonda virus?
Shamonda virus, also known as Shav, is an infection that primarily affects livestock. It is transmitted by infected midges, small flying insects that can carry pathogens between animals.
Cattle are among the animals most commonly affected. Infected dairy herds may develop symptoms including:
- Fever
- Diarrhoea
- Reduced milk production
The virus has also been detected in sheep, goats, alpacas and horses.
Although its effects on livestock are recognised, its potential to infect humans was not previously established. The French case has therefore prompted further investigation into whether the virus can occasionally cross the species barrier.
WHO says wider spread appears unlikely
The WHO said it had not yet completed a formal risk assessment of the case. However, based on the limited information currently available and knowledge of similar infections, it considers the incident isolated and wider transmission unlikely at this stage.
The organisation also noted that the spread of viruses carried by midges generally decreases during colder months.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is working with French authorities and other European partners to investigate the possible public health implications.
Officials have not identified evidence indicating that the infection is spreading between people.
Virus detected in animals across Europe
The discovery comes as Shamonda virus has been identified in livestock in several European countries.
According to the ECDC, the first cases in Europe were detected in late July. Since then, infections have been reported in farm animals in Ireland, Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as in Jersey.
The growing number of animal cases has increased the importance of monitoring the virus and understanding its potential effects beyond livestock.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the French patient’s infection while monitoring developments across Europe.
What does this mean for the public?
For now, health authorities say the risk to the general public is considered low, and there is no indication of a wider outbreak among humans.
The case is significant because it challenges the previous understanding that Shamonda virus only affected animals. However, a single documented human infection does not establish that the virus can spread readily between people or cause a broader epidemic.
Further investigations will be needed to clarify how the patient became infected, whether similar cases have gone undetected and what factors might allow the virus to infect humans.
For the time being, the WHO, the ECDC and French authorities are continuing to monitor the situation as they work to establish the full implications of this previously unreported infection.
