Deadly Borna virus case in Bavaria: What does this mean for Vorarlberg?

Deadly Borna virus case in Bavaria: What does this mean for Vorarlberg?

There is currently worrying news about the Borna virus (BoDV-1) in Bavaria. Two men in their 50s from Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm have become infected, one of those affected has died and the other is being treated in a clinic in a critical condition. The exact route of infection is still unclear because the two men are not related. The local health authorities, the Pfaffenhofen district office and the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL), have started investigations to find out the causes of the infections.

The Borna virus is particularly widespread in animals, especially tree shrews. The first detected human infection in Germany took place in 2018, while no such case has yet been documented in Austria. Paths of transmission from animals to humans have been poorly investigated; possible sources could be contaminated food, water or soil. Direct person-to-person transmission is considered extremely unlikely. An infection can cause severe inflammation of the brain, also known as encephalitis, which is often fatal. There is no specific therapy; treatment is limited to relieving symptoms.

Risks and Dangers

According to the AGES (Agency for Health and Food Security), the risk of infection for the general population in Austria is extremely low. Although Vorarlberg is described as an endemic area for BoDV-1, no human infections have been reported to date. Health experts still recommend precautionary measures, such as avoiding contact with tree shrews and their droppings. If dead small animals are found, it is advisable to wear gloves and dispose of them safely.

The current cases in Bavaria shed light on the behavior and symptoms associated with Bornean encephalitis. Dr. med. In a study, Friederike Liesche-Starnecker and Prof. Jürgen Schlegel examined the brain images of 19 patients who suffered from BoDV-1 infections. Their research shows that encephalitis typically begins in the basal ganglia and then spreads to other brain regions. These results are important for understanding the disease because they differ from the distribution pattern in infected animals and provide important clues for future studies.

Borna disease, caused by Borna disease virus 1, is a viral infectious disease that affects the central nervous system of horses and sheep. In very rare cases, the virus can also be transmitted to people and cause severe, usually fatal, inflammation of the brain. The only known reservoir host of BoDV-1 is the field shrew, with infected animals excreting the virus through feces, urine and saliva. The spread of the virus is particularly known in the eastern half of southern Germany and in neighboring countries such as Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria.

A total of 24 confirmed cases of BoDV-1 infections in humans were documented in Germany between 1996 and 2021. To date, this virus has remained confined to the central nervous system and has been responsible for fatal infections on several occasions in recent years. Authorities emphasize that despite the serious consequences that Borna virus infections can have, there is generally no need to panic as such cases are extremely rare.