There is a danger from the pathogen, albeit a very small one, according to the Ebersberg district office.
In the summer, horses suspected of having a Borna virus infection and evidence of this in three hedgehogs were reported to the veterinary office in the district, it said. A total of six detections have been recorded in hedgehogs nationwide so far this year, all in Bavaria, said Dennis Rubbenstroth, head of the National Reference Laboratory for Borna virus infections at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) on the island of Riems.
People can become infected in extremely rare cases
In extremely rare cases, people can become infected with the Borna virus (BoDV-1 – Borna Disease Virus 1), which results in brain inflammation, which is usually fatal. So far, the field shrew (Crocidura leucodon) is the only known carrier of the virus to humans.
Before the cases this year, only one other case in Germany – also in Bavaria in 2022 – was recorded as a hedgehog. This was also the first case worldwide, which is hardly surprising since BoDV-1 only occurs in parts of Germany and in individual regions of Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
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**Interview with Dennis Rubbenstroth, Head of the National Reference Laboratory for Borna Virus Infections**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dennis. Could you start by explaining what Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) is and why it’s significant?
**Dennis Rubbenstroth:** Certainly. BoDV-1 is the virus responsible for Borna disease, a serious neurological disorder that primarily affects domestic mammals but can, in extremely rare cases, infect humans as well. This virus has garnered attention due to its lethality and the occasional, though rare, cases of human infection, which can lead to fatal brain inflammation.
**Interviewer:** There have been recent reports of BoDV-1 detections in hedgehogs and horses in Bavaria. Can you tell us more about this?
**Dennis Rubbenstroth:** Yes, this year, we’ve recorded a total of six cases of BoDV-1 in hedgehogs across Germany, all of which are in Bavaria. Additionally, some horses suspected of infection have been reported. These findings underscore the presence of the virus in wildlife, particularly in specific regions, which is critical for monitoring and understanding potential risks to other animals and, albeit very rarely, to humans.
**Interviewer:** What are the implications for human health, considering the instances of infection among hedgehogs?
**Dennis Rubbenstroth:** The risk of human infection from BoDV-1 is extremely low. There has only been one previous case reported in Germany, and it involved a hedgehog as well. The field shrew is the primary known carrier of the virus specifically to humans. To put it into perspective, the chances of contracting this virus are very slim, but given its severity, we continue to monitor the situation closely.
**Interviewer:** How should the public respond to news about Borna virus infections?
**Dennis Rubbenstroth:** Awareness is key. We encourage pet owners, especially those with hedgehogs or horses, to remain vigilant and report any unusual symptoms to a veterinarian. It’s also essential to maintain a safe distance from wildlife and to ensure that our pets are healthy. While the danger is minimal, it’s always best to be informed and prepared.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dennis, for shedding light on this important topic.
**Dennis Rubbenstroth:** Thank you for having me! It’s crucial to keep the public informed about such zoonotic diseases.
