France Reports First Human Death from Shamonda Virus

France has confirmed the first recorded human infection of the Shamonda virus, which primarily affects livestock. The patient, a man in his 60s from the Lyon area, died in early October after being bitten by a midge carrying the virus.

French authorities reported that the man had been undergoing treatment for a serious underlying illness, making him more susceptible to infection. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control confirmed the death and noted the patient's compromised health as a contributing factor.

The World Health Organisation is in direct contact with French authorities regarding the case. French officials stated that there is no identified health risk to the broader population.

The Shamonda virus, first identified in the mid-1960s, has been detected in various livestock species and has circulated in eastern France during the spring and summer months. Infected cattle typically exhibit symptoms such as diarrhea, weakness, and loss of appetite.