In October 2026, the virus was detected in a person for the first time, in France. At present, the risk of people in the Netherlands becoming infected and ill appears to be very low. Because Shamonda virus is a new virus, we do not know that much about it as yet. Researchers in the Netherlands and other countries are monitoring the situation in animals and people.

What is Shamonda virus?

Shamonda virus is primarily an animal disease. It belongs to a group of viruses known as orthobunyaviruses. The disease mainly affects cattle, but the virus can also occur in sheep and horses. Shamonda virus is transmitted by midges: small biting insects that also spread other animal diseases, including bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus.

What are the signs of Shamonda virus?

In animals

In cattle, Shamonda virus can cause:

• fever
• diarrhoea
• reduced milk production
• lethargy
• possible birth defects in calves.

More information about Shamonda virus in animals is available on the website of Royal GD.

In humans

Only one human case has been identified worldwide. This patient had a severely weakened immune system and died. Very little is known about the course of illness in people with a normal, healthy immune system. 

We do not know:

• whether people with a healthy immune system can become infected with the virus.
• whether the virus can cause symptoms in people and, if so, what symptoms, or how often people become infected.

How does Shamonda virus spread?

In animals, Shamonda virus is mainly spread by midges. The virus is not airborne, unlike influenza or coronavirus. A midge can become infected when it bites an infected animal. If the infected midge then bites another animal, it can transmit the virus.

Transmission often occurs during the warmer months of the year, when lots of insects are active, including midges. Experts expect Shamonda virus to circulate less among animals once the midge season ends.

It is not yet clear exactly how the patient in France was infected by the virus. A midge bite is the most likely explanation in this case as well. Other possibilities, such as infection through a blood transfusion, are still being investigated.

Has Shamonda virus been found in the Netherlands?

Since summer 2026, Shamonda virus has been detected in cattle and horses in the Netherlands and other European countries, including France, Germany and Switzerland. No human has been identified in the Netherlands as having Shamonda virus. There is only one known patient worldwide. Illness caused by Shamonda virus in people is therefore currently very rare. At present, the risk of infection in people in the Netherlands appears to be very low.

How can I prevent Shamonda virus?

At present, most people do not need to take any specific measures against Shamonda virus. The risk of infection is very low. Experts also expect the virus to spread less among animals once the midge season ends.

Advice for livestock farmers and people who work with animals

If you work with cattle, sheep or horses, it is important to watch for signs of illness in your animals. Royal GD provides further information and advice on its website.

Shamonda virus research

Together with Royal GD, RIVM is investigating whether people who have frequent contact with animals have antibodies against the Shamonda virus. These include, for example, veterinarians, livestock farmers and people living on farms where animals have the virus.

RIVM is monitoring the situation closely. RIVM can investigate suspected human Shamonda virus cases in the laboratory. Shamonda virus is also monitored in animals in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. This includes research in cattle and other ruminants, monitoring insect-borne diseases, and international information sharing between public and animal health organisations.

Shamondavirus and the zoonoses response structure

In the Netherlands, several organisations work together on diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people. This is known as the zoonoses response structure. It helps ensure that signals of such diseases, including Shamonda virus, are identified quickly, discussed jointly and, where necessary, acted on in time.

RIVM leads this collaboration and works closely with other organisations, including NVWA, Royal GD, Erasmus MC, municipal public health services, WBVR, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and DWHC.