Borna virus: Ebersberger district office warns of dangerous illness!

Borna virus: Ebersberger district office warns of dangerous illness!

In the district of Ebersberg, a worrying virus makes a name for itself: the Borna virus. Like the Merkur reported, several cases have recently occurred in stables in the district, which gives rise to concern. An infected horse in Ebersberg was last reported in February 2025, and a Lama in Kirchseeon was already succumbed to the disease at the end of 2024. All affected animals had to be euthaized, which underlines the tragedy of the situation.

The district office is caution and emphasizes that the risk of infection for people is assessed as low. There are currently no reported diseases in people in the district of Ebersberg, but cases have been documented in the past, which indicate the danger of the virus. So some time ago a man in Pfaffenhofen died of the consequences of an infection, and two children lost their lives on the virus in Maitenbeth.

risks and transmission paths

What makes the Borna virus so dangerous? According to information from BR> and Wikipedia can lead the virus to serious diseases, including fatal meningitis. However, the main transmitter for humans is not the animals themselves, but the Feldspitzmaus. These mice live particularly often in Bavaria, and around a third of them could wear the virus.

The transmission is usually made by contact with contaminated dust, earth or via contaminated food and water. It is therefore advisable to remove food sources for pointed mice and take appropriate protective measures, such as wearing rubber gloves and an FFP2 mask when dealing with dead animals.

information events and precautionary measures

The health department has already started measures to inform farmers and pet owners. An information event took place in May 2025 to inform about the risks and behaviors. Warning symptoms of borna infection in animals, such as absent behavior and difficulties in eating, are very important to observe.

Borna disease itself has been known since the 19th century and found its name after a fatal incident in Borna, Saxony, in 1894. By identifying the pathogen as a RNA virus in the 1930s, understanding of the disease has improved considerably. The transferability to humans was only officially confirmed in 2018, which underlines urgency to be careful.

Ultimately, the situation in the Ebersberg district remains tense, but with the right caution and information, the risk of the population can be minimized. While there is a low risk for people overall, nobody should take the warnings of the health department lightly. Stay informed and act responsibly!