A man in France has become the first human known to have contracted Shamonda virus, with investigations under way to explore whether it contributed to his death.

Shamonda virus is a type of bunyavirus and is spread by bites from infected midges. According to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety , in animals such as cattle, sheep and goats it can cause diarrhoea, lack of appetite and a decline in milk yield, “as well as abortions and congenital abnormalities in newborn calves, lambs and kids”.

“In Switzerland and Germany, the presence of Shav [Shamonda virus] genetic material has also been reported in the brains of horses that died from neurological symptoms,” the agency said.

The virus has previously been found in farm animals outside Europe, but was first detected in livestock on the continent in the summer.…