Encephalitis and 90 percent mortality. The Borna virus attacks in Germany
German health care confirmed that in Pfafenhofen, a small city in Upper Bavaria, there was a Born (BODV-1) virus. As « Neuburger Rundschau » informed, the virus attacked two unrelated men around the age of 50 – one of them died, the other is in a critical condition. Cases caused concern about residents and questions about the source and scale of danger.
Borna’s virus kills quietly
BODV-1 is a animal virus, which most often occurs in small mammals-mainly shrews. As Verena Eubel, the deputy head of the Health Department in Neuburg, explained, « the only known way to move to people is a field snout. » The animal itself does not get sick, but man can infected by contact with its secretions – feces, urine, saliva or through the skin.
Infection is often insidious – from the moment of infection to the occurrence of symptoms, weeks or even months may pass. This makes it difficult to determine the moment and place of infection. In the case of men with Pfafenhofen, it was not determined whether they had contact or where the infection could have occurred.
What are the symptoms of the Borna virus? Dramatic course and high mortality
Human virus infection in humans has dramatic effects – according to estimates Mortality is up to 90 percent. Initially, the disease resembles a cold – there is a fever, headache, fatigue. Over time, however, it attacks the nervous system. Neurological symptoms, such as speech disorders, walking problems or behavioral changes, often lead to acute encephalitis.
The history of this pathogen dates back to the 18th century, but the first case of human infection was only confirmed in 2018. Then four cases were diagnosed – only one person survived who is still struggling with permanent disability.
Experts emphasize that the possibility of transferring the virus from man to man or from animals other than snip has not been confirmed so far. The State Office for Health and Safety of Food points out that although the path of infection is partly known, the mechanism of infection still raises many doubts.
Source: polsatnews.pl
Read also:
A fatal disease takes a toll again. WHO appeals to European governments
