France records first human case of 'Chamunda' virus, patient dies

French authorities announced on Thursday the detection of the first human case of the Chumonda virus, which is transmitted by small biting insects and had previously been confined to livestock. The patient, who suffered from severe immunodeficiency, died in early October.

In a joint statement, the ministries of health and agriculture noted that “the Chumonda virus has been circulating in Africa and Asia for decades, with no documented human infections to date, making this case exceptional given the patient’s severe immunodeficiency.” He had been hospitalized in Lyon to receive treatment for a serious illness and died in early October.

The statement clarified that the current hypothesis is that “he contracted the virus through the bite of a Culicoides midge in eastern France, an area where the virus circulates among animals during spring and summer.”

Based on investigations, “it is highly likely that the brain complications observed in the patient before his death were linked to the Chumonda virus,” the statement added.

It further stated that “based on the available data regarding this virus, there are no specific health risks currently threatening the French population.”