France Confirms World's First Human Case of Shamonda Virus

French health authorities reported the first documented human infection with Shamonda virus in a severely immunocompromised patient treated at Hospices Civils de Lyon, who died in early October. The infection is believed to have come from a Culicoides midge bite in eastern France, where the virus has circulated in livestock since summer 2026.

• The immunocompromised patient died in early October; brain complications were linked to the virus
• The virus has been confirmed in 51 French departments plus Switzerland, Austria and Portugal
• Culicoides midges are the vector; no vaccine for Shamonda virus exists
• Authorities say no risk to the general population has been identified