Shamonda virus: First human infection ends in death in Lyon; what is known about the risks

A man with a serious illness that had severely weakened his immune system died in Lyon in early October after contracting Shamonda virus, which normally affects cattle. France’s health and agriculture ministries said the brain complications observed before his death were probably linked to the infection, while the ECDC is still investigating whether the virus caused or contributed to his death and how he was infected. The leading theory is that a biting midge infected him in eastern France, where livestock herds had been affected. Authorities say no risk to the general population has been identified so far.