Eurosurveillance - GoKawiil

France reports first known human Shamonda virus infection, patient dies

A man in his sixties being treated for cancer in France's Rhône–Alpes region died on 9 October, 16 days after developing neurological symptoms including vision loss and confusion, according to a case report in Eurosurveillance. He is the first confirmed human case of Shamonda virus, an orthobunyavirus previously known only to infect cattle and deer, following a livestock outbreak detected in Europe in July. Researchers believe he was likely bitten by an infected midge, though contaminated food, a blood transfusion or a transplant have not been fully ruled out.

nature.com · 2026-10-23

MRSA outbreak tied to bouncy castles sickens 48 children in Ireland

Health officials in Ireland traced an outbreak of aggressive skin infections to a community party featuring three bouncy castles, where about 120 people, roughly half of them children, gathered for a barbecue in fall 2025. Of 48 children who fell ill, 33 were treated by regular doctors, 15 needed emergency care, and four were hospitalized, though all recovered. Genomic testing identified a rare, toxin-producing strain of MRSA that caused symptoms far faster than typical infections, sometimes within hours.

arstechnica.com · 2026-09-11