French health authorities have reported the first known human infection with the Shamonda virus. The patient, who was severely immunocompromised and being treated for a serious illness, died earlier this month.
Officials believe the infection may have resulted from a midge bite in eastern France, where the virus had been found circulating among animals.
Preliminary findings suggest the infection may have been linked to neurological complications, though investigations are continuing.
Shamonda virus is primarily known to affect livestock. It was first identified in Nigeria in the 1960s and has since been reported in parts of Africa and Japan. The virus was detected in Europe for the first time this summer and has now been identified in animals across 14 European countries.
French authorities say they have not identified a risk to the general public. The World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have been informed as investigations continue.
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