France has reported the first known human case of Shamonda virus, a disease previously identified primarily in livestock. The patient, who was receiving treatment for a serious illness and had a severely
weakened immune system, died in early October. Authorities are investigating whether the virus caused or contributed to the death.
The case has raised questions about the risks posed by Shamonda virus, which was first detected in cattle in Nigeria in 1965 and was identified in Europe for the first time in 2026. The virus has since been reported in livestock across more than a dozen European countries.
What Is Shamonda Virus?
Shamonda virus is a virus transmitted by biting midges, tiny flying insects that feed on the blood of animals. It belongs to the Orthobunyavirus genus and the Peribunyaviridae family, and is part of the Simbu serogroup of viruses.
The virus primarily affects cattle, although infections have also been identified in sheep, goats, horses and alpacas. It belongs to the same broader group as Schmallenberg virus, which is associated with reproductive problems and developmental abnormalities in livestock.
Shamonda virus was first isolated from cattle in Nigeria in 1965. It has subsequently been detected in parts of Africa and Asia, including sporadic infections in livestock. Until the recent case in France, it had not been recognised as a cause of human disease.
How Did Shamonda Virus Reach Europe?
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the virus was detected in Europe during the summer, following reports of illness among farm animals. By October, infections had been reported in more than a dozen European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland. The virus has also been detected in other European territories.
French authorities suspect that the patient acquired the infection after being bitten by an infected midge in eastern France, where the virus had circulated among livestock earlier in the year. However, the exact route of transmission in the human case remains under investigation.
The specific midge species responsible for transmitting the virus in this case has not yet been identified.
What Are The Symptoms Of Shamonda Virus In Animals?
Shamonda virus is primarily an animal-health concern. In cattle, reported symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, weakness, lethargy and loss of appetite. Dairy cattle may also experience a significant decline in milk production.
The infection can have more serious consequences for livestock, including reproductive complications. Reports from the European outbreaks have included abortions and severe foetal malformations. Neurological disorders have also been reported in some horses.
The full impact of the virus circulating in Europe is not yet known. Researchers are continuing to investigate whether the European variants behave differently from those previously identified in Africa and Asia.
Can Shamonda Virus Infect Humans?
The first known human case was reported in a patient in France who had been receiving hospital treatment for a serious illness. The patient was severely immunocompromised, meaning their immune system was significantly weakened.
French authorities suspect that the infection occurred through a bite from an infected midge. The patient’s brain complications were considered very likely to be linked to the Shamonda virus infection, according to information reported by Reuters. However, investigations into whether the virus caused or contributed to the death are ongoing.
French authorities have stated that no health risk to the general population has been identified so far. The ECDC is working with French authorities and European partners to investigate the case and assess its public-health implications.
Is There A Vaccine For Shamonda Virus?
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, there are currently no commercially available vaccines specifically for Shamonda virus. Diagnosis in animals requires laboratory testing because the symptoms can resemble those caused by other infections.
