First Human Case of Shamonda Virus Detected in France After Midge Bite
- French health authorities announced on October 22, 2026, that a patient treated at the Hospices Civils de Lyon died in early October from an infection involving the Shamonda...
- The patient was admitted for a severe underlying immunodepression and a serious neurological condition, according to public health statements released on October 22, 2026.
- Investigators point to a bite from an infected biting midge of the genus Culicoides as the most probable route of contamination, likely occurring in eastern France.
French health authorities announced on October 22, 2026, that a patient treated at the Hospices Civils de Lyon died in early October from an infection involving the Shamonda virus, marking the first documented human case of the pathogen in medical history, Le Tribunal du Net reported.
Fatal Infection at Lyon Hospital
The patient was admitted for a severe underlying immunodepression and a serious neurological condition, according to public health statements released on October 22, 2026. Subsequent biological examinations confirmed the presence of the Orthobunyavirus pathogen in multiple clinical samples. Authorities stated that the cerebral complications observed prior to death were very likely linked to the infection. Health authorities were informed of the infection on October 7, 2026.
Suspected Midge Transmission Vector
Investigators point to a bite from an infected biting midge of the genus Culicoides as the most probable route of contamination, likely occurring in eastern France. The virus had already been circulating among livestock populations in that region during the spring and summer of 2026. Santé publique France noted that the patient had no professional or direct contact with cattle or other livestock. Veterinary authorities report no proof of direct transmission between animals, except for transmission from mother to fetus during gestation.
France 🇫🇷 – Virus ShamondaCocorico… C'est une première mondiale annoncée aujourd'hui par les autorités sanitaires françaises… Que des trucs moisis p***** !Un patient hospitalisé à Lyon, atteint d'une maladie grave et présentant une immunodépression sévère (C'EST LE POINT… pic.twitter.com/R3WWn9DI7o
Decades of Animal Circulation Preceding Human Detection
Originally identified in Nigeria in 1965, the Shamonda virus belongs to the Orthobunyavirus genus and has traditionally affected ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats, causing transient fever, diarrhea, and reproductive losses. Over the decades, researchers documented its presence in various African regions and in Japan, where it was isolated from cattle and horses. By the summer of 2026, the virus emerged across Europe, appearing in livestock across 52 French departments before this first human detection. In 2026, a new lineage called Shamonda-Europe spread rapidly across Europe since the summer, having been detected in bovines across 52 mainland departments, in sheep in two departments including Oise and Aveyron, and in a horse in Hérault, with infections also noted in small ruminants, alpacas, and horses displaying neurological disorders.
International Notification and Continued Investigation
French health agencies notified both the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control following the confirmation. Officials from Santé publique France confirmed that no risk to the general population has been identified, as the human infection was tied to the patient’s profound immunodepression. Clinical, biological, and environmental investigations remain ongoing under a coordinated approach linking human, animal, and veterinary health experts. Investigations focus particularly on the patient’s environment, recent travels, and potential exposures to animals or vector insects, involving reference laboratories for animal health including the Anses National Reference Laboratory and human health laboratories.