Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
New bornavirus discovered in variegated squirrels: Potential link to human infections
18 February 2015
Joint information by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Robert Koch Institute regarding the above-mentioned facts.
Following the occurrence of lethal encephalitis in three breeders of variegated squirrels (Sciurus variegatoides) in Saxony Anhalt from 2011 to 2013, comprehensive investigations on a possible infectious origin were carried out at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM). At first, no leads could be found regarding the cause of the disease. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) on the isle of Riems then investigated samples of a variegated squirrel from the holdings of one of the deceased breeders. It was only the genetic analysis of organ samples of the squirrel that provided sequence information which pointed to the presence of a novel bornavirus. Subsequent molecular biological and immunohistological tests also provided evidence for its presence in brain samples of the deceased patients. Based on the currently available information, the new virus is clearly different from all previously known bornaviruses. At the moment it is not known whether these are isolated cases.
It cannot be ruled out that the diseases of the three patients could have been caused by transmission of the novel bornavirus from infected animals. The transmission path so far is unknown, bites and scratches appear to be likely means of acquiring infection. Test methods for virus detection were developed and validated at the FLI and are available for further analyses. BNITM, FLI and Robert Koch Institute are cooperating with veterinary and health authorities at federal and state levels to further clarify the situation. The FLI on the isle of Riems carries out tests on the occurrence of this virus in animals. In addition, persons keeping variegated squirrels are screened for possible other cases of infection.
The BNITM in Hamburg carries out analogous analyses in spinal fluid of patients with encephalitis of unknown origin. Until more data become available, as a preventive measure direct contact with variegated squirrels should be avoided. If a variegated squirrel develops disease or dies for unknown causes, the owner should inform the veterinarian who, if necessary, can then initiate further investigations.
In connection with the FLI’s and BNITM’s discovery of this new, possibly zoonotic bornavirus it still needs to be clarified whether the virus was imported with infected squirrels or whether the squirrel was infected by another animal species.
18 February 2015
Joint information by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Robert Koch Institute regarding the above-mentioned facts.
Following the occurrence of lethal encephalitis in three breeders of variegated squirrels (Sciurus variegatoides) in Saxony Anhalt from 2011 to 2013, comprehensive investigations on a possible infectious origin were carried out at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM). At first, no leads could be found regarding the cause of the disease. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) on the isle of Riems then investigated samples of a variegated squirrel from the holdings of one of the deceased breeders. It was only the genetic analysis of organ samples of the squirrel that provided sequence information which pointed to the presence of a novel bornavirus. Subsequent molecular biological and immunohistological tests also provided evidence for its presence in brain samples of the deceased patients. Based on the currently available information, the new virus is clearly different from all previously known bornaviruses. At the moment it is not known whether these are isolated cases.
It cannot be ruled out that the diseases of the three patients could have been caused by transmission of the novel bornavirus from infected animals. The transmission path so far is unknown, bites and scratches appear to be likely means of acquiring infection. Test methods for virus detection were developed and validated at the FLI and are available for further analyses. BNITM, FLI and Robert Koch Institute are cooperating with veterinary and health authorities at federal and state levels to further clarify the situation. The FLI on the isle of Riems carries out tests on the occurrence of this virus in animals. In addition, persons keeping variegated squirrels are screened for possible other cases of infection.
The BNITM in Hamburg carries out analogous analyses in spinal fluid of patients with encephalitis of unknown origin. Until more data become available, as a preventive measure direct contact with variegated squirrels should be avoided. If a variegated squirrel develops disease or dies for unknown causes, the owner should inform the veterinarian who, if necessary, can then initiate further investigations.
In connection with the FLI’s and BNITM’s discovery of this new, possibly zoonotic bornavirus it still needs to be clarified whether the virus was imported with infected squirrels or whether the squirrel was infected by another animal species.