French health authorities have announced that a patient infected with the Shamonda virus—previously thought to be non-transmissible to humans—has died in a hospital in Lyon. This marks the first documented case of the disease being transmitted to a human. The Ministry of Health stated that the patient suffered from “severe immunosuppression” and passed away in early October. Authorities explain that, based on current knowledge of the virus, there is no identified risk to the general public at this time. It is hypothesized that the infection occurred via a vector—specifically, the bite of a midge of the genus *Culicoides*—in eastern France, a region where the virus was reported to be circulating among animals during the spring and summer of 2026.
The Shamonda virus: what it is and where it is found
The Shamonda virus is an *Orthobunyavirus* transmitted to animals by blood-feeding midges of the genus *Culicoides*. It was first identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s and has since been reported sporadically in cattle across West, East, and Southern Africa, as well as in Japan. In the summer of 2026, it was identified in Europe for the first time, specifically on cattle farms. Among animal species susceptible to infection, cattle are considered the primary host. Sporadic cases of infection in small ruminants and equines were also identified in France this past summer. French health authorities have notified international health bodies, including the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Shamonda virus symptoms
At present, the available information does not allow for a precise description of the symptoms in humans. As this is the first human case ever reported, it is not possible to determine which manifestations are typical of the infection, nor how severe it might be in individuals with varying health conditions. The cerebral complications observed in the French patient occurred in a particularly vulnerable subject and, based on current data, cannot be considered a characteristic symptom of the virus.
In cattle, the infection can cause an acute phase typically lasting between two and three weeks. Common signs include fever, lethargy, diarrhea, and a drop in milk production—a particularly significant indicator for dairy farms. The consequences can be more serious during pregnancy; the infection has been linked to miscarriages and congenital malformations in fetuses. During the summer of 2026, sporadic cases were also reported in other animals, including sheep and horses.
Shamonda virus treatment
At present, there is no specific vaccine against the Shamonda virus, nor is there any targeted antiviral treatment. From a public health perspective, available information does not indicate any significant risks associated with the consumption of meat or milk, and no restrictions have been imposed on the marketing of these products.
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