In 2023, five cases of rare Bornavirus infections were recorded in Bavaria, with four resulting in fatalities. A new research project aims to uncover the transmission pathways of this virus.
The Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) recently released its 2023 annual report, highlighting its key responsibilities, particularly the monitoring and investigation of rare infectious diseases, such as the Bornavirus. In 2023, Bavaria reported five infections with the rare Borna Disease Virus 1 (BoDV-1), four of which were fatal. According to the LGL’s annual report, the field shrew is identified as the reservoir host for the zoonotic pathogen BoDV-1, which it excretes through feces, urine, and saliva.
However, there remain many unanswered questions regarding the infection pathway and future preventive measures. To address these, the LGL launched the research project “Zoonotic Bornavirus Focalpoint Bavaria” in 2023. This project, conducted in collaboration with the Friedrich Loeffler Institute and the University Hospital Regensburg, aims to further investigate the transmission routes of BoDV-1 and develop specific recommendations to prevent infections.
LGL also monitors avian influenza with potential human risk
The LGL is also closely monitoring avian influenza (HPAI virus), conducting extensive laboratory tests. Among the 1,700 birds tested, the LGL detected the HPAI virus in over 200 wild birds and identified 12 outbreaks in poultry farms. According to the LGL, such influenza viruses are known for their rapid adaptability, raising concerns that newly emerging viruses could potentially jump to humans. “Ongoing, particularly molecular surveillance of this zoonosis is therefore of paramount importance for both veterinary and human medicine,” the annual report states.
