The first recorded human infection with the Shamonda virus (SHAV), which until now had only been detected in animals, was announced by French authorities, with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) closely monitoring the situation.
According to an ECDC statement, the patient, who was being treated for a serious illness that made him more vulnerable to infections and complications, died in early October. Investigations into whether the virus caused or contributed to his death, as well as how he became infected, are ongoing.
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The ECDC is in contact with French authorities and its European partners to investigate the potential public health implications of this first human infection.
The reporting of this case follows the first detection of the virus in farmed animals in Europe in the summer of 2026. Clinical symptoms in animals were reported as early as June, and the virus was identified in late July.
Since then, SHAV has been detected in farmed animals in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland, as well as in Jersey. The virus had previously been detected in animals outside Europe.
The Shamonda virus is usually transmitted among animals through bites from infected midges of the genus Culicoides. However, the species of midge that may be involved in the transmission of this particular case remains unknown.
The ECDC notes that these midges are generally most active in Europe from spring through fall, with their activity influenced by species, region, and weather conditions. As temperatures drop, the activity of most sandfly species decreases.
The Center monitors developments in close collaboration with the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is responsible for animal health and food safety issues in the EU.
At the same time, the ECDC notes that it is working with Member States to strengthen contingency planning for potential outbreaks, while also working with the relevant EU reference laboratory to strengthen diagnostic capacity and provide additional support to Member States to identify any other cases.
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Source: KYPE
