France has reported its first human case of Shamonda virus, a disease primarily associated with livestock, after a man in his 60s died in early October following treatment for a serious illness.
According to the report, the patient is suspected to have contracted the virus through the bite of a small insect carrying the infection.
The circumstances surrounding the infection have raised concerns about the potential transmission of animal-associated viruses to humans.Shamonda virus was first identified in Nigeria in the 1960s.
It primarily affects cattle but can also infect other animals, including sheep, goats and horses.The virus has recently been detected among livestock in several European countries, highlighting the importance of monitoring animal diseases and their potential risks to human health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reportedly considers the French case isolated and says the risk of wider spread appears low.
However, further monitoring remains important to establish how the infection occurred and whether any additional cases emerge.
Health authorities continue to emphasise the importance of disease surveillance and cooperation between human and veterinary health services to detect and respond to emerging infections.
