France has reported the first documented case of human infection with the Shamonda virus, which has previously been detected only in animals, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday.

The patient, who was immunocompromised and therefore more vulnerable to infection and severe disease, died, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.

“My heartfelt condolences to their loved ones,” Tedros said.

The Shamonda virus primarily affects animals, including cattle, sheep, goats and horses. It is believed to spread among animals through the bites of Culicoides midges, small, fly-like insects, although further research is needed to establish how transmission occurs.

According to Tedros, the French patient had been in an area where the virus was circulating among animals and where Culicoides midges were present.

The WHO is in contact with French authorities, who are gathering information to determine the source of the infection, identify possible transmission routes and assess any potential risks to public health.

The case marks the first documented detection of Shamonda virus infection in a human, raising questions about whether the virus can cross the species barrier under certain circumstances.

However, the available information does not establish whether the infection resulted from direct contact with infected animals, an insect bite or another route of transmission.

The patient's immunocompromised status may have increased their vulnerability to severe illness, but further investigation is needed to understand the implications of the case.

The WHO has said additional studies are necessary to clarify the virus's transmission and assess the potential public health implications. No broader conclusions about the risk to the general population can be drawn from the information released so far. (ILKHA)