A 61-year-old leukaemia patient in France died on October 9, 2026, after suffering from brain swelling, blindness, and confusion linked to the Shamonda virus. Genetic testing revealed the presence of the SHAV-EU1 clade, marking the first confirmed human case of a pathogen originally discovered in Nigerian cattle in 1965. French officials suspect the man was infected via a midge bite following a stem cell transplant at the Civil Hospital of Lyon. Experts emphasize that winter temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius halt vector activity, significantly lowering the immediate risk of a wider outbreak.
Key points
French health authorities have reported the unprecedented human case to both the World He…: French health authorities have reported the unprecedented human case to both the World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
Transmission relies primarily on Culicoides midges, which become inactive during winter m…: Transmission relies primarily on Culicoides midges, which become inactive during winter months when ambient temperatures drop below 12 degrees Celsius.
Scientists recommend conducting antibody tests on archived human samples alongside enhanc…: Scientists recommend conducting antibody tests on archived human samples alongside enhanced livestock surveillance to discover potential prior infections.
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For the first time, a human has contracted and died from the Shamonda virus, a disease-causing microbe that had previously been known only to infect animals. While the incident is unlikely to herald a more widespread outbreak, it is a potent reminder of the potential for pathogens to jump from animals to humans, with deadly consequences.
As per a report by Scientific American, a 61-year-old man who was undergoing treatment for leukaemia at the Civil Hospital of Lyon in France contracted the disease. According to a case report published in Eurosurveillance, the man had undergone a stem cell transplant and experienced fatal encephalitis, or brain swelling. He showed symptoms, such as blindness and confusion, that the report authors say were likely caused by the virus. The man fell into a coma and succumbed to the disease on October 9, 2026, after life support was withdrawn. He is the first person ever known to have contracted the disease and died as a result.
In a joint statement, the French Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture said that they suspect the…
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