Second Borna virus death in Pfaffenhofen: What to do about the danger?

Second Borna virus death in Pfaffenhofen: What to do about the danger?

Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Deutschland - in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, a second patient died of the consequences of a Borna virus infection. This reports Antenne Bavaria . The affected man had been treated in a hospital for several weeks. Like the first patient, he had infected himself with the terrible virus, which is extremely rare in the region and usually ends fatally. These tragic cases have triggered concern in the population, since it is currently unclear how this accumulation came about.

The Borna virus, scientifically classified as Borna Disease Virus 1 (Bodv-1), is mainly transmitted by Feldspitz mice. The exact transmission path to humans still remains a mystery. According to the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety, the infection paths are currently being examined. It is believed that the virus passes to humans via urine, feces or saliva of the wild animals. It is advisable to avoid contact with Feldspitz mice and to take appropriate precautions when cleaning garden huts or barns, such as wearing masks.

symptoms and course of the disease

The symptoms of a Borna virus infection are often non-specific at the beginning: general feeling of illness, headache and fever are common initial symptoms. In the course of the disease, neurological deficits such as language problems and motor disorders can occur. Sometimes the sick fall into a coma within a few days or weeks, which makes the disease an extremely critical situation. Overall, most of the proven cases in Bavaria have been fatal, as the BR Nachrichten and the Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) report.

The pathogen itself is an RNA virus that typically occurs in field spy mice, but can also infect other mammals and humans. It has been known since 2018 that BodV-1 can trigger encephalitis in humans. A diagnosis is often only possible in advanced stages because the early test is not available for infection. Infections are often only noticed when serious neurological failures occur that require immediate medical intervention.

prevention measures and research approaches

Especially in Bavaria, where the cases have so far been mainly documented, experts recommend certain precautions. This includes wearing gloves when working in possible risk areas and avoiding contact with living or dead Feldspitz mice. Dead animals should only be disposed of with special protective measures to prevent possible infection. Overall, however, the risk of infection is to be classified as low, especially if you observe these precautions.

A research project called "Zoonotic Bornavirus Focalpoint Bavaria" was launched in 2023 to gain further findings about the Borna virus and to develop targeted preventive measures. Despite the current tragedies, the general risk of infection in Bavaria remains extremely low. Nevertheless, one should consider that the dangers are potentially increased, especially for people who live near fields or forests, such as Netdoktor Notes.

The events in Pfaffenhofen show that even rare diseases can suddenly put in the news and that the population should stimulate rethink. It remains to be hoped that research will soon bring more clarity about the transmission paths and the treatment options of this serious infection.