Bornavirus death in Upper Bavaria: How to protect yourself effectively!

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A new death by the Bornavirus in Upper Bavaria raises questions about the risk of transmission and to end areas.

Ein neuer Todesfall durch das Bornavirus in Oberbayern wirft Fragen zur Übertragungsgefahr und zu Endemiegebieten auf.
A new death by the Bornavirus in Upper Bavaria raises questions about the risk of transmission and to end areas.

Bornavirus death in Upper Bavaria: How to protect yourself effectively!

The news about the first death in Germany due to a Bornavirus infection has startled the population. A man from Pfaffenhofen on the Ilm in Upper Bavaria has died, another affected person is currently being treated in the hospital. These sad events underline the potential dangers that can assume this virus. According to Moz.de is the borna disease virus 1 (bodv-1) in most cases fatal and is mainly transmitted by the Feldspitzmaus, a small rodent. The exact transmission paths are still unclear today, but one suspects that contaminated foods or water, as well as a lubrication infection through contaminated earth, are possibilities.

A bornavirus infection usually causes fatal brain inflammation, and only about five to ten acute illnesses are reported in Germany every year, mainly in Bavaria. This rarely makes the disease appear, but the severity of the symptoms must not be underestimated. The first signs include headaches and fever, which can quickly develop into severe neurological symptoms such as behavioral problems and language and gait disorders. This often leads to a coma, experts from Fr. .

endemic areas and risk groups

The endemic areas in Germany are particularly affected by Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt as well as Saxony and Thuringia. But also adjacent regions as well as parts of Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland represent a certain risk. How netdoktor.de is the Feldspitz mouse for the virus, which is about saliva, Urine and feces get into the environment. Overall, the risk of infection for people is low, but increases particularly in the case of activities in nature or in gardening, where the contact with contaminated soil can be made.

protective measures are essential: it is recommended to avoid contact with Feldspitz mice and their excretions and always wear gloves when working with earth from risk areas. Holding cats that can act as indirect carriers by hunting pointed mice is also regarded as not risky as long as the animals do not come into contact with the rodents.

The recent events show that it is important to find out about such zoonoses and take appropriate precautions. The increasing number of reports from Bornavirus cases-since 2020 has been notified for these infections-underlines the need for better awareness among the population.