Bornavirus risk in the Havelland: Protect your horses now!

Bornavirus risk in the Havelland: Protect your horses now!

Havelland, Deutschland - The Bornavirus infection, also known as a born ash illness, throws its shadows about horse keeping in Germany. Dr. Claudia Herrmann, official veterinarian in the Hovelland district, informs about the serious health risks and the necessary precautions that horse owners should now take. The fact that this disease is usually fatal and is currently widespread in several federal states is particularly alarming, including Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Hamburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Saxony, Thuringia and Bavaria. Loud [maz-online.de] (https://www.maz-online.de/lokales/Havelland/rathenow/bornavirus-toedlich-fuer-borne-diese-m Assumption-Schuetzen-Tierzin-in-Havelland-Information-6jibmk2sgza4jfnprpdj7antjm.html? Outputtype = valid_amp) There have been no cases in the Havelland yet, but many owners are concerned and on the hat.

What are the symptoms? The most common signs of bornavirus infection are fever, changes in essence, movement disorders and behavioral problems. These symptoms can occur after an incubation period of two to six months and then progress quickly. Affected horses often die within a few weeks or months. There is currently no cure against the disease, which is particularly worrying for many horse owner situations.

transmission paths and risk group

according to [veterinocortal.de] (https://www.tier medicortal.de/tierteheiten/pferdeitungen/bornasche-kinhei-beim-pferd) the virus transmission is transmitted via air, direct contact as well as the saliva and body fluids of infected animals. Horses and sheep are particularly at risk. The Feldspitzmaus acts as a reservoir of the virus, it wears it without symptoms and can contribute to contamination of the surroundings. Even if the disease mainly occurs in animals, people are also at risk in individual cases, as the sad incidents from Bavaria show where a man died in June 2025 after being infected with the virus.

This situation leaves no room for negligence. Dr. Herrmann urgently advises horse owners to see a veterinarian immediately if symptoms are suspected. Comprehensive hygiene measures are particularly important in areas where the virus has already been determined. These include combating rodents, careful monitoring of feed and water points as well as basic hygiene in the stable.

protective measures and the role of the holder

In order to prevent possible infection, the keeper should pay more attention to barn hygiene and prevent rodent infestation at an early stage. The disposal of dead animals should also take place under extreme precautions: it is recommended to wear rubber gloves, FFP2 masks and protective glasses. According to [rnd.de] (https://www.rnd.de/gesundheit/bornavirus-erklaert-u-weirzlauf- und-reluctant-tiere-tx5eq7a7dsfxnzrcgy4.html) there is no known treatment or vaccine against the BornaVirus and medical care is limited to support measures.

The Hovelland district follows the situation carefully and is in contact with the Friedrich Loeffler Institute and the state investigation offices. The veterinarians concerned are encouraged to report suspected cases promptly. While some owners continue to consider concerns about other viral diseases such as herpes and West Nil virus, the Bornavirus infection remains a serious topic that is far from being disappearing from the agenda.

Overall, this situation calls the horse owners in the region to remain vigilant. It is important to pay attention to the symptoms and, if necessary, act quickly so as not to endanger the well -being of our four -legged friends.