France reports first death of human from Shamonda virus

Updated / Thursday, 22 Oct 2026 10:04

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⁠French health authorities said they had detected the Shamonda ‌virus ⁠in a human for the first time in a ‌patient who ⁠later ‌died, while adding that ⁠they ‌saw no risk to the general ⁠population at this ⁠stage.

The virus is spread by biting midges and mainly affects cattle, sheep and goats.

Earlier this month, the virus was detected in cattle samples from two farms in Co Cork, according to the Department of Agriculture.

It said that this was the first time "this emergent virus has been detected in Ireland".

The disease is currently not notifiable in Ireland or the EU.