Borna virus: Ebersberg district office warns of dangerous disease!
In the Ebersberg district there are currently warnings about the Borna virus, which has appeared in stables. The risk of infection for people is considered low.

Borna virus: Ebersberg district office warns of dangerous disease!
There is a worrying virus in the Ebersberg district: the Borna virus. Again Mercury Reportedly, several cases have recently occurred in stables in the county, raising concerns. An infected horse was last reported in Ebersberg in February 2025, and a llama in Kirchseeon also succumbed to the disease at the end of 2024. All affected animals had to be euthanized, which underlines the tragedy of the situation.
The district office advises caution and emphasizes that the risk of infection for people is considered to be low. There are currently no reported human illnesses in the Ebersberg district, but cases have been documented in the past that indicate the danger of the virus. Some time ago, a man died in Pfaffenhofen as a result of an infection, and two children lost their lives to the virus in Maitenbeth.
Risks and transmission routes
What makes the Borna virus so dangerous? According to information from BR and Wikipedia The virus can cause serious illnesses, including fatal meningitis. However, the main vector for humans is not the animals themselves, but the tree shrew. These mice are particularly common in Bavaria, and around a third of them could carry the virus.
Transmission usually occurs through contact with contaminated dust, soil or through contaminated food and water. It is therefore advisable to eliminate food sources for shrews and to take appropriate protective measures when handling dead animals, such as wearing rubber gloves and an FFP2 mask.
Information events and precautionary measures
The health department has already initiated measures to inform farmers and pet owners. An information event was held in May 2025 to provide information about the risks and behavior. Warning symptoms of Borna infection in animals, such as absent-minded behavior and difficulty eating, are very important to observe.
Borna disease itself has been known since the 19th century and got its name after a fatal incident in Borna, Saxony, in 1894. The identification of the pathogen as an RNA virus in the 1930s significantly improved understanding of the disease. Transmissibility to humans was only officially confirmed in 2018, which underlines the urgency of being careful.
Ultimately, the situation in the Ebersberg district remains tense, but with the right caution and information, the risk to the population can be minimized. While there is a low overall risk to people, no one should take the health department's warnings lightly. Stay informed and act responsibly!