France reports first human case of Shamonda virus as patient dies
DÍLI, 26 October 2026 (TATOLI) – A person has died in France after contracting the Shamonda virus, marking the first known case of human infection with the virus, according to French health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The unidentified patient, who died in early October, had been receiving treatment for a serious illness and was immunocompromised, making him more vulnerable to infection than the general public, according to a statement from the French health and agriculture ministries.
The French patient was in an area where the Shamonda virus was circulating in animals and where Culicoides midges were also present.
French authorities say that no health risk to the general public has been identified so far.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his condolences to the man’s loved ones.
Shamonda virus primarily affects animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and horses. The virus is thought to spread between animals by the bites of a midge, which is a small fly-like insect, according to WHO.
“Further studies are needed to fully understand transmission,” said Ghebreyesus.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organisation is working with French authorities to investigate the source of the infection, determine how the virus may have been transmitted and assess any potential risks to public health.
World Organisation for Animal Health said there are currently no commercially available vaccines against Shamonda virus.
TATOLI
