French authorities announced the first documented human infection with Shamonda virus on October 22, after detecting it in a severely immunocompromised patient treated for a serious illness in Lyon.

The patient died in early October. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said investigators were still examining whether the virus caused or contributed to the death, and how the infection occurred. It described this as the only human infection reported so far.

France’s health authorities said brain complications were very probably linked to the infection. They identified a bite from a Culicoides midge in eastern France as the current hypothesis for exposure, rather than a confirmed route.

The French statement said no health risk to the general population had been identified on the knowledge available to date. That assessment accompanied continuing investigations; it did not establish the cause of the patient’s death.

Previously reported in animals, Shamonda was identified in European farm animals for the first time in summer 2026, according to ECDC. The agency said it was working with French authorities and European partners to investigate the public-health implications and strengthen testing capacity.

Sources: ECDC, October 22; French government statement, October 22.