Bornavirus Alarm! How to Protect Yourself Now from the Deadly Infection
The Borna Disease Virus 1, or BoDV-1 for short, is a ticking time bomb that fortunately strikes extremely rarely. The infection can cause severe, often fatal meningitis (encephalitis). The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) estimates that only about five to ten people in Germany are infected each year—a small number that does not diminish the high mortality rate of around 90 percent in a manifest disease. Since 2020, the Bornavirus has been notifiable in Germany, allowing for more accurate recording of the rare cases.
How is the Bornavirus transmitted?
The main transmitter of the Bornavirus is the field shrew. These small, inconspicuous mammals excrete the virus through urine, feces, and saliva. Humans can become infected when they have direct contact with the excretions of infected animals—for example, when working in the garden, in agriculture, or even when entering barns and sheds where shrews live. Even inhaling virus-laden dust is a possible transmission route. In the current case in Bavaria, the role of hedgehog excretions is also being investigated, indicating a potentially broader spectrum of transmitters. For Vienna and Austria, this means: caution is advised when working in rural areas or gardens with rodent or hedgehog contact.
Symptoms and Prevention: What You Need to Know
The symptoms of a Bornavirus infection are nonspecific and can easily be confused with other diseases. They range from fever and headaches to behavioral changes and severe neurological impairments such as paralysis and consciousness disorders. Often weeks or months pass between infection and the onset of the disease.
To protect yourself, the following measures are recommended, which are particularly relevant for garden owners or people who frequently work outdoors in and around Vienna:
- Direkten Kontakt vermeiden: Berühren Sie niemals Spitzmäuse oder deren Ausscheidungen. Nutzen Sie Handschuhe bei der Gartenarbeit oder beim Aufräumen von Schuppen.
- Hygiene beachten: Waschen Sie sich nach Arbeiten im Garten oder in der Natur gründlich die Hände.
- Schutz vor Staub: Bei Arbeiten in geschlossenen Räumen, in denen Spitzmäuse leben könnten, ist das Tragen eines Mund-Nasen-Schutzes sinnvoll, um das Einatmen von virushaltigem Staub zu verhindern.
- Nager fernhalten: Sorgen Sie dafür, dass Spitzmäuse und andere Nager keinen Zugang zu Wohnbereichen oder Lagerräumen haben. Lagern Sie Lebensmittel sicher.
- Umgang mit toten Tieren: Gefundene tote Spitzmäuse oder Igel sollten niemals mit bloßen Händen berührt werden. Verwenden Sie Schaufel und Handschuhe und entsorgen Sie die Kadaver sicher.
Although the Bornavirus is extremely rare, the current cases in Bavaria underscore the need for awareness and caution. For the population in Vienna and throughout Austria, panic is unwarranted, but an informed approach to potential risk factors can help protect one's health.
Questions and Answers About the Bornavirus
How common is the Bornavirus in Austria?
In Austria, the Bornavirus is extremely rare. There are only very few known human infections. Most cases occur in certain endemic areas in Germany, Switzerland, and parts of Austria, but the overall number is very low.
Is there a vaccine against the Bornavirus for humans?
No, currently there is no approved vaccine against the Bornavirus for humans. Prevention therefore focuses on avoiding contact with infected animals and their excretions.
Can pets transmit the Bornavirus?
Shrews are the main hosts of the Bornavirus. Although pets like cats or dogs can theoretically become infected, direct transmission from a pet to a human is extremely unlikely and has not been proven so far. It is more important to avoid contact between pets and wild animals such as shrews.
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.
