June 12, 2025, 8:51 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Following a recent death in the district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm in Bavaria, the Bornavirus is coming into focus. Experts advise taking precautions—especially in gardens, where contact with the animals that transmit it or their excretions can occur unnoticed.
Recently, a person in Bavaria was killed by the Borna Disease Virus 1 (BoDV-1), and another fell seriously ill. BoDV-1 is a highly contagious pathogen that, when contracted, causes a rapidly progressing and usually fatal encephalitis. The Bornavirus is transmitted by the common shrew, which prefers rural areas and often roams in gardens. The current increase in cases highlights the importance of preventive measures, especially when gardening in affected regions.
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Common Shrew as Virus Reservoir
In light of the recent case, myHOMEBOOK contacted the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). They referred to a joint information sheet created with the Friedrich Loeffler Institute and the Bernhard Nocht Institute. According to this, the common shrew is the only known animal that can transmit the Bornavirus to humans. Transmission occurs through saliva, urine, feces, or skin contact–especially with direct or indirect contact with carcasses or excretions. These animals are found in parts of southern and eastern Germany, particularly in Bavaria, Thuringia, Saxony, and Baden-Württemberg.
The greatest risk of Bornavirus infection is in the home environment–such as when gardening, sweeping out sheds, or near compost heaps. Carcasses of dead common shrews can be infectious. Infection can also occur by inhaling contaminated dust particles. Disposable gloves, FFP2 masks, and disinfectants are recommended protective measures. Direct contact with the animal is often not necessary–indirect transmission via contaminated surfaces is likely.
Also read: Holes in the lawn? These animals could be behind it
How to Safely Dispose of Dead Animals
If you find a dead common shrew, extreme caution is advised: Never touch it with bare hands. It is also recommended to pick it up with disposable gloves and a face mask (FFP2 mask), treat the site with cleaning agents, and dispose of the shrew in a tightly sealed plastic bag in the household trash. After contact, thorough showering and washing of clothes are necessary.
An infection leads to severe brain inflammation in humans. Initial symptoms like fever and headaches quickly progress to neurological deficits, including speech and movement disorders and behavioral changes. Death usually occurs within a few weeks. There is currently no targeted therapy or early warning system. Diagnosis is only possible in the advanced stage through pathogen detection. A detailed presentation of
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Low Risk, but Often Fatal
The number of infections remains very low: In Germany, only five to ten cases occur annually. Nevertheless, the risk should be taken seriously, as almost all cases are fatal. So far, no clear risk groups or activities have been identified. Human-to-human transmissions are considered unlikely by the RKI and have only been documented in connection with organ transplants.