Bornavirus warning: Cats are so dangerous for their owners!

Bornavirus warning: Cats are so dangerous for their owners!

worrying messages reach us from Bavaria, where a death due to the Bornavirus (Bodv-1) causes great unrest. According to wa.de, the focus is primarily on cat owners because they have an increased risk of infections. Experts warn that the disease, which can almost always trigger brain inflammation, is particularly connected to infected cats. From eight people who died of Borna virus had seven close contact with velvet paws.

But what exactly is behind this dangerous virus? The Bornavirus was originally identified in animals, such as horses and sheep, and was also proven for the first time in humans in 2018. The symptoms, including fever, headache and severe neurological failures, often occur late and are often fatal.

The dangers for cat owners

A particularly critical risk for cat owners is the hunt of their pets. Cats are malwosters of the Bornavirus, which means they carry the virus without actively passing it on. Nevertheless, they can bring the virus to their own home by catching and bringing infected mice. These Feldspitz mice out the virus over urine, feces and saliva and are not sick themselves, which means that they act as a reservoir for the disease.

The transfer to humans is mainly via the tissue of infected prey, which can be adhered to on the paws or in the mouths of the cats. Critical situations arise when cuddling with the cat, cleaning the cat toilet or when dealing with dead animals. Special precautions are required at these moments.

protective measures for cat owners

• dead or injured mice should always be touched with gloves.
• After every contact with the cat, thorough washing is essential.
• When cleaning the cat toilet, protective clothing or gloves should be worn.
• behavioral changes or neurological abnormalities in the cat must be clarified veterinarian immediately.
• In the event of unclear symptoms such as fever after contact with cats or rodents, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

The danger is still high, especially in regions of East and southern Germany, where the virus occurs increasingly, and also in parts of Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The number of cases of cases is appreciated as highly high, which makes the need to be vigilant, all the more urgent. So far there is no vaccine or effective therapy against the Bornavirus, so as always: prevention is the best protection.

In this tense Situation, it is the most important thing that cat owners inform and remain careful. The new findings about the Bornavirus clarify that every cat lover is well advised to have a particularly guilty eye on the behavior of their pets and to take the recommended protective measures seriously. According to [https://www.hna.de/wissen/bornavirus-in-deutschland-wie-katzen-zur-fuer-owner-owner-koennen-koennen-93775222.html) for many cat owners that their favorites will stay healthy and the threat from the bornavirus does not enter their home.

summarized remains to be said: A good hand in maintenance and taking into account precautions can help to minimize the risk. Stay vigilant and healthy!