Overview

• The Bornavirus has been confirmed in several hedgehogs in Bavaria, prompting health warnings from local authorities.
• Humans can contract the virus in extremely rare cases, leading to severe brain inflammation with potentially fatal outcomes.
• The field shrew is the primary known vector for transmitting the virus to humans, through contact with its bodily excretions.
• Precautionary measures include using gloves and masks when handling dead shrews or potentially contaminated materials.
• Bavaria has recorded a moderate number of human infections since 1996, with a few cases reported annually since 2020.