France has confirmed the first known human case of Shamonda virus, according to the BBC and DW. The virus mostly affects cattle.

The patient died in early October, the BBC and DW reported. French officials called it "an exceptional case" in a patient with a severely weak immune system, the outlets reported.

France's health and agriculture ministries announced the case Thursday, the BBC and DW reported. They said there was no risk to the public at this time.

The patient was being treated for a serious illness in a hospital in Lyon, the BBC reported. The patient had nerve problems that officials said were "very likely linked" to the virus, based on early findings.

Officials think the patient caught the virus from the bite of a midge in eastern France, the BBC and DW reported. The virus was found in animals there in the spring and summer, DW said, citing the agriculture ministry.

Shamonda virus is spread by tiny biting midges, the BBC and DW reported. It mostly affects cattle, but it has also been found in sheep, goats, alpacas and horses, the BBC said. In dairy herds, it can cause fever, diarrhea and low milk output. It was first found in Nigeria in the 1960s, DW reported. Until now, it was not thought to spread to people, the outlets reported.

The World Health Organization said this was the first documented human case, the BBC reported. It said the case looked isolated and was "unlikely to lead to wider spread at this time," the BBC and DW reported. The WHO also said midge-borne viruses tend to spread less in cooler months, the BBC said.

Europe's disease control agency said it was looking into the possible public health effects, the BBC reported. The virus was first found in Europe in late July, it said. Since then it has been found in farm animals in Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Jersey.

What we know: A patient in France who died in early October had Shamonda virus, a first in humans.
What we don't: Exactly how the patient was infected. Officials are still investigating.