Photo: Shutterstock The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is investigating the potential public health implications of the first reported human infection with Shamonda virus (SHAV), after French authorities confirmed a case involving a patient who died in early October.
The virus had previously been detected in animals, and the human infection marks the first known report of SHAV in a person. The patient was receiving treatment for a serious underlying illness that made them more susceptible to infections and complications than the general population.
Investigations are ongoing to establish whether the virus caused or contributed to the patient's death and how the infection was acquired. The ECDC said it was in contact with French authorities and European partners as they assess the case.
The human case follows the first detection of Shamonda virus in European farm animals in 2026. Clinical signs in animals were reported from June, and the virus was identified in late July.
Since then, SHAV has been detected in farm animals in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland, as well as Jersey. The virus has also previously been identified in animals outside Europe.
SHAV typically spreads among animals through bites from infected Culicoides biting midges. However, the specific midge species involved in the transmission associated with the human case has not yet been identified.
The ECDC noted that biting midges in Europe are generally most active from spring to autumn, although activity varies depending on the species, location and weather. With temperatures falling, activity among most biting midge species is declining.
The ECDC is monitoring developments in coordination with the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which handles animal health and food safety matters across the EU.
The agency is also working with the relevant EU Reference Laboratory to strengthen testing capacity and provide additional support to member states in identifying any further potential human cases.
The ECDC said the European Union has public health systems in place and that it continues to work with member states to strengthen preparedness and response planning.
The investigation remains ongoing. With only one human infection reported so far, authorities are still assessing the significance of the case and whether any further infections have occurred.
In general, Shamonda virus is an animal virus, and its symptoms in humans are not well established. There is very limited evidence of human infection, so doctors cannot yet define a typical set of symptoms or reliably describe how the illness progresses in people.
In animals, particularly livestock, Shamonda virus belongs to a group of viruses spread mainly by biting midges. Related viruses can cause fever, weakness, and reproductive problems in livestock, but those symptoms should not automatically be attributed to Shamonda virus in humans.
In cattle, reported symptoms include fever, watery diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy and reduced milk production. These findings are documented in European livestock outbreaks, but they are not established symptoms in humans.