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Bavaria has recorded a second fatal infection with the Borna virus within just a few weeks, raising renewed concern over the extremely rare but often deadly disease transmitted by the field shrew.
A spokesperson for the Augsburg health authority confirmed that the latest case was detected in the city, marking another tragic outcome of a BoDV‑1 infection. Although infections are exceptionally uncommon, they typically lead to severe and rapidly progressing inflammation of the brain.
Professor Markus Naumann, Director of Neurology at the University Hospital Augsburg, explained the clinical picture:
“After infection, symptoms progress quickly, leading to brain inflammation with confusion, cognitive decline, speech disturbances, and epileptic seizures.”
Rare but Deadly: A Pattern of Cases in Bavaria
The new case follows a fatal infection reported in late April near Bad Wörishofen in the Unterallgäu district. Nationwide, fewer than ten cases are recorded annually, with Bavaria accounting for most of them.
Recent confirmed cases include:
- A March infection in the district of Erding
- A fatality in Tirschenreuth in autumn 2025
- Two deaths in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm earlier in 2025
- Two cases in Augsburg in 2023
This concentration of cases has made Bavaria a focal point for BoDV‑1 monitoring.
Field Shrew Identified as Main Carrier
According to the Bavarian State Office for Health (LGL), the Borna Disease Virus 1 is carried by the field shrew, an insect‑eating, nocturnal, and rarely seen small mammal. The animals shed the virus through urine, feces, saliva, and skin particles—without becoming ill themselves.
Experts believe humans become infected through contact with contaminated materials. Health authorities recommend strict precautions:
- Wear gloves, protective glasses, and a fine dust mask when handling dead mice or cleaning areas where shrews may live
- Avoid touching live or dead animals with bare hands
- Shower and wash clothing after exposure
- Dispose of carcasses in sealed plastic bags in household waste
- Clean contaminated surfaces thoroughly
These guidelines aim to reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission.
Human Transmission Confirmed Only Since 2018
Although the virus has long been known in animals—especially horses—its ability to infect humans was only scientifically confirmed in 2018. Since then, BoDV‑1 has been classified as a cause of severe and often fatal encephalitis, and the disease has been notifiable in Germany since 2020.
In Austria, the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) reports only isolated detections in animals, including four equine cases in recent years. No human infections have been recorded in Austria to date.
Outlook
While the Borna virus remains extremely rare, the cluster of cases in Bavaria underscores the importance of public awareness—especially in rural areas where field shrews are present. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and emphasize early medical evaluation for unexplained neurological symptoms.
- source: APA/picture:
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