In Middle Franconia, Bavaria, one person died due to an infection with the rare Borna virus. A spokeswoman for the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district office announced this on Monday. The authorities are now puzzling over the exact route of infection.
It is rare, but extremely dangerous: the Borna virus (BoDV-1 – Borna Disease Virus 1), usually transmitted by shrews, causes inflammation of the brain, which is fatal in almost all cases. The person from Bavaria, whose infection was only diagnosed at the end of November, also suffered this fate.
It is not yet clear how the virus was transmitted
How exactly the virus is transmitted to humans is not yet clear and is the subject of current research. Also in this case, the State Agency for Health and Food Safety (LGL) is currently trying to determine the transmission route.
To protect yourself from infections, the LGL recommends avoiding contact with shrews and their droppings. Live or dead animals should not be touched with bare hands.
Causes fatal inflammation in the brain
The pathogen has long been known in animals. However, it was only in 2018 that it was proven that it can also be transmitted to humans and usually causes fatal encephalitis. The Robert Koch Institute assumes that two to six diseases occur in Germany every year, with Bavaria mainly affected.
Transmitted via saliva, feces and food
In addition to humans, the Borna virus can also be transmitted to horses and other mammals. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infected saliva or feces, through consumption of contaminated food or through contact with infected animals. Person-to-person transmission is very rare.
Source: Krone
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