France Confirms First Human Shamonda Case

French authorities reported the first documented human infection with Shamonda virus in a severely immunocompromised patient in Lyon, who died in early October. Investigators suspect the patient was infected by a biting Culicoides midge in eastern France, where the virus had been circulating in animals; they said brain complications before the death were likely linked to the infection. Shamonda virus, previously known to affect livestock—especially cattle—has been detected in several European countries, with occasional infections in other animals. Authorities say no risk to the general public has been identified, while clinical and epidemiological investigations continue.