France Confirms First Human Case of Shamonda Virus

France reported its first human case of the Shamonda virus on Thursday, with authorities suspecting the victim contracted it through the bite of an infected midge in eastern France. The patient, a man in his 60s from the Lyon area, was hospitalized for an unrelated serious illness.

Gregory Emery, head of France’s health directorate, described the case as unprecedented scientifically and virologically, linking it to the patient’s severely weakened immune system. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is in contact with French authorities regarding the case and assessed the likelihood of wider transmission as low.

The Shamonda virus, primarily affecting cattle, was first identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s and confirmed in Europe in late July. It has also been detected in several other European countries.

French animal health authorities noted that infected cattle could exhibit symptoms such as diarrhea, weakness, and loss of appetite.