Two deaths in the district: Borna virus alerts experts in Bavaria!

Two deaths in the district: Borna virus alerts experts in Bavaria!

Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Deutschland - On July 1, 2025, the second patient died due to a Borna virus infection in the Upper Bavarian Pfaffenhofen on the ILM. This tragic message was officially confirmed by the district office and several media reported about it. Previously, a first patient in the district had already died, which increased the willingness to alert with the health authorities.

The Borna virus, known as Borna Disease Virus 1 (Bodv-1), occurs primarily in the Feldspitzmaus, which is considered the main carrier. According to VOL.AT, it is currently unclear why two cases occurred in the district in such a short time. Experts from the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) examine the exact paths of infection, while there are already 57 confirmed cases of illness in humans, especially in Bavaria.

transmission paths and symptoms

The Bornavirus belongs to the Bornaviridae family and often causes severe encephalitis in humans, which is usually fatal. This is supported by information from [rnd.de] (https://www.rnd.de/gesundheit/bornavirus-erklaert-Uruft-Urift-Symptomes- und-chutz-Q7iws3BTX5EQ7A7DSFXNZRCGY4.html) that the transmission paths are above all by contact with virus-containing feces, urine or saliva as well as via contaminated surfaces. The virus may also be transferred by inhaling infectious particles.

The symptoms of an infection often begin with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and body pain and can develop into neurological disorders such as memory loss, paralysis, hallucinations and even coma. People who live in rural areas with high density on Feldspitzmäusen, who represent an increased risk of infection in rural areas, are particularly at risk. According to [yellow-liste.de] (https://www.gelbe-list.de/neurology/borna-virus-mensch- neuropathology pathomyism, infected people often show non-streaking meningoencephalitis in terms of the severity of the disease.

prevention and protective measures

Treatment of Borna virus infections is extremely difficult due to the lack of a specific antiviral drug. Currently, only intensive care measures remain to treat the course of an infection. In addition, research on the transmission and pathogenesis of the virus remains necessary, since these aspects have so far been insufficiently understood.

The situation illustrates the need to intensify the epidemiological monitoring in endemic areas and to raise awareness of the population for the dangers of the Borna virus.