Unraveling the Borna Virus Mystery: A Deadly Encounter in Upper Bavaria
Individual succumbs to uncommon Borna virus infection in Upper Bavaria region - Individual succumbs to uncommon Borna virus infection in Upper Bavaria region
Crash course: A man lost his life in Upper Bavaria due to a rare and dangerous Borna virus infection, with another individual currently under treatment. Both affected individuals hail from the city of Pfaffenhofen.
Health authorities are pouring resources into investigating the virus's origin, collaborating with experts from the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL).
The Unsuspecting Carriers: Field Voles
BDV-1, the Borna disease virus, primarily snuggles up with field voles, which unbeknownst to them, harbor this sinister pathogen. This cunning virus lurks in their feces, urine, and even saliva according to the LGL [1][2][4].
But muddling the waters, the exact route of transmission from these crafty creatures to humans remains undetermined. Some hypothesis includes inhaling polluted dust while gardening or dealing with debris in a shed, contact with soil, water, or food contaminated with viral particles, or even direct contact with the virally-infected voles [4].
Safety First: Protect Yourself
To shield against infection, the LGL recommends avoiding all voles and their waste products. Any live or dead animals should never be touched with bare hands [2].
As a friendly reminder, the virus has long held sway over animals; however, it wasn't until 2018 that scientists confirmed its transmissibility to humans, often causing lethal inflammation in the brain [3]. Since 2020, authorities have been required to report acute BoDV-1 encephalitis cases, with a significant number of cases surfacing in Bavaria [3].
- Keywords: Exchange of information, Pfaffenhofen, Connection to shrews, LGL, Prevention strategies
[1] https://www.neuro.org/content/borna-disease-virus[2] Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm District administration office[3] Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL)[4] Robert Koch Institute (RKI) report
Other potential hosts, such as shrews, might also carry the Borna virus due to its proximity with field voles. It's crucial for individuals residing in Pfaffenhofen, or nearby areas, to be aware of health-and-wellness precautions related to neurological disorders, as the LGL continues to collaborate on investigating the virus and prevention strategies.
