EXPLAINER: What to know about Shamonda virus

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On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, French authorities reported the first documented case of human disease caused by the Shamonda virus to the World Health Organisation, according to the global health body.

The virus was detected in a severely immunocompromised patient who died earlier in October, according to a joint statement issued by the country’s health and agriculture ministries, AFP reports Thursday.

The WHO noted that it’s in touch with the French authorities and is closely monitoring the situation.

In a series of tweets on Thursday by the WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Shamonda virus was only previously detected in animals, adding that the patient was in an area where the virus was circulating in animals.

The virus is transmitted via bites of midges — a small, fly-like insect.

Ghebreyesus said the patient’s immune system had weakened to the level that it couldn’t fight off pathogens. Hence, the patient became susceptible to the Shamonda virus and eventually died.

“The patient was immunocompromised, which made them more vulnerable to infection and severe disease, and unfortunately died. My heartfelt condolences to their loved ones,” he said.

The WHO boss, however, noted that further studies were needed to fully understand the mode of transmission of the virus.

“The French patient was in an area where the Shamonda virus was circulating in animals and where Culicoides midges were also present.

“WHO is in contact with French authorities who are collecting information to better understand the source of infection in the first human patient, possible routes of transmission and any potential risk to public health,” the tweet added.

According to a public notice issued by the WHO on Thursday, here are things you should know about Shamonda virus:

The WHO said Shamonda virus primarily affects animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and horses.

The notice stated that the virus is thought to spread between animals by the bites of midges — a small, fly-like insect.

It noted that the Shamonda virus is not known to transmit directly between animals, except during pregnancy when an infected animal can transmit the virus to the foetus.

According to the WHO, the Shamonda virus has been reported in animals in African countries and in Japan.

It added that since June 2026, the virus has also been found in dairy cows and horses in Western Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and France.

The global health body noted that the reported case of the Shumonda virus in a human remains isolated, meaning it has not spread to other people.

It added that it will keep monitoring the situation and provide updates as more findings unfold.

Ajisafe is a multimedia journalist and digital copy editor with over four years experience

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