The Who

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has started research after the man died from animal illness – only detected for first time this summer

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched an investigation after the first-ever case of a brain disease was found in an EU country which is a favourite destination for UK tourists. Health officials in France raised the alarm following the first ever known case of Shamonda virus (SHAV) infection in a human.

The person concerned had not travelled outside the country in the preceding 12 months, the WHO said. WHO said: “The case was an immunocompromised older man from eastern France with no travel history during the preceding year. He developed severe neurological illness on 23 September 2026 and was diagnosed with severe encephalitis (brain inflammation). The patient died on 8 October 2026.”

It said there are ‘no previously documented human infections’ of the disease, which normally affects animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and horses. The WHO said: “As only one human case has been reported so far, information on the disease in humans remains limited. In this case, the patient was already seriously ill and experienced additional, brain-related symptoms that were considered to be linked to the Shamonda virus.”

Vector-borne transmission (via a bite from an infected midge) is thought to be the most likely source of infection. Officials are investigating the possibility of food-borne transmission, but said it’s unlikely.

WHO added: “As this is the first documented laboratory-confirmed human infection, WHO considers that the public health risk cannot yet be reliably assessed and recommends continued surveillance and investigation.”

The patient lived in rural eastern France, where animal SHAV transmission has been documented since July 2026, and had not travelled in the preceding year. The patient received multiple blood transfusions between February and October 2026 for his underlying illness.

SHAV was only found for the first time in Europe during the summer of 2026 with confirmed or suspected infections reported in cattle, horses and alpacas in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

As of October 21 2026, additional European countries and territories have reported SHAV detections in animals: Austria, Ireland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

It adds: “This first documented human infection with SHAV in 2026 demonstrates that human infection is possible. However, a single case is insufficient to assess the risk to the general population, including immunocompetent individuals, or to determine the frequency, clinical spectrum or severity of human infection. The route of infection and possible sources of exposure are unknown, though vector-borne transmission is a plausible hypothesis.”

Dani Harmer has reunited with her Tracy Beaker co-star Nisha Nayer more than 20 years after the hit CBBC show came to an end and fans were quick to react to the surprise social media post

Dani Harmer has reunited with her Tracy Beaker co-star Nisha Nayer more than 20 years after the hit CBBC show ended.

The actress, 37, was just 12 years old when she was cast in the title role of The Story of Tracy Beaker and, over the course of five series, played the tough care home kid who fantasised that her mum was a Hollywood star. Nisha played Elaine ‘The Pain’ Boyak, an incompetent social worker who was often at odds with Tracy.

The series, which is based on the books by Dame Jacqueline Wilson, aired from 2002 until 2005. The two former co-stars reunited on social media ahead of their debut at Swansea Comic Con on Sunday and urged fans to come along.

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Fans of the hit TV series rushed to the comments section to see two beloved characters reunited, with one writing: “Way too surreal seeing Elaine the Paine and Cheeky Beaker getting along like BFFs. I reckon Dani is hiding a butcher knife behind, LOL,” to which Dani responded: “Nah, she’s my bestie in real life!”

Another fan joked: “Was not expecting these two to be so happy to be in the same room,” whilst a third said: “Ahhhhh! The most iconic duo everrrrrr.”

After Tracy Beaker ended, a spin-off, Tracy Beaker Returns, followed, in which the titular character returned to work in care. When Dani opted to leave the series, it was retooled into The Dumping Ground, which is still being produced for CBBC after more than a decade on air.

Outside of Tracy Beaker, Dani has competed on Strictly Come Dancing, starred in the sitcoms Dani’s House and Dani’s Castle and ultimately returned to her signature role in 2021 for My Mum Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls. Prior to landing the part of Tracy, Dani had starred in West End productions of The Who’s Tommy and Annie, and is a regular in pantomime.

Meanwhile, prior to being cast as Elaine on Tracy Beaker, Nisha became known as Debra Kumar in the film Out of Hours and went on to appear in Doctor Who, Holby City and The Bay.

Other cast members of the original Tracy Beaker included former Casualty actress Lisa Coleman, who played Tracy’s foster mum Cam Lawson, and Clive Rowe, who has more recently appeared in sitcom So Awkward and the BBC’s The Hairdresser Mysteries, starred as care home chef Duke.

Just weeks ago, actress Montanna Thompson, who played Tracy’s rival Justine Littlewood, revealed that she initially landed the role of Tracy before Dame Jacqueline Wilson stepped in. “I didn’t actually audition for Justine,” Montanna said.

Speaking on the Embarrassing For No Reason podcast, the actress, 37, went on to add: “I auditioned for Tracy, and I got the phone call, and they said, ‘Oh, you’ve got the part as Tracy.’ So me and my mum was jumping around…

“We was all jumping around and celebrating and then an hour later, I get a call from the BBC. Jacqueline Wilson said she wanted to keep the illustration of Tracy original. So I was like ‘Ok’, and they was like ‘Would you like to be Justine?’ so I was like ‘Yeah, ok, great’.”

Montanna went on to tell hosts Sam Darlaston and Tatum McGreal that her mother was asked if she would “cut her hair off” as Dame Jacqueline wanted Justine to have a bob. “My mum said, ‘Well, no, not really,'” she explained. I think that’s why Justine has got the plaits, and they made that character like that.”

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