Variegated Squirrel Bornavirus 1 in Squirrels, Germany and the Netherlands

Kore Schlottau; Maria Jenckel; Judith van den Brand; Christine Fast; Christiane Herden; Dirk Höper; Timo Homeier-Bachmann; Jens Thielebein; Niels Mensing; Bert Diender; Donata Hoffmann; Rainer G Ulrich; Thomas C Mettenleiter; Marion Koopmans; Dennis Tappe; Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit; Chantal B E M Reusken; Martin Beer; Bernd Hoffmann

doi:10.3201/eid2303.161061

Variegated Squirrel Bornavirus 1 in Squirrels, Germany and the Netherlands

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Mar;23(3):477-481. doi: 10.3201/eid2303.161061.

Authors

Kore Schlottau, Maria Jenckel, Judith van den Brand, Christine Fast, Christiane Herden, Dirk Höper, Timo Homeier-Bachmann, Jens Thielebein, Niels Mensing, Bert Diender, Donata Hoffmann, Rainer G Ulrich, Thomas C Mettenleiter, Marion Koopmans, Dennis Tappe, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, Chantal B E M Reusken, Martin Beer, Bernd Hoffmann

Abstract

We screened squirrels in Germany and the Netherlands for the novel zoonotic variegated squirrel bornavirus 1 (VSBV-1). The detection of VSBV-1 in 11 squirrels indicates a considerable risk for transmission to humans handling those animals. Therefore, squirrels in contact with humans should routinely be tested for VSBV-1.

Keywords: Germany; VSBV-1; bornavirus; squirrels; the Netherlands; variegated squirrel bornavirus 1; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Bornaviridae / classification*
Bornaviridae / isolation & purification*
Germany / epidemiology
Humans
Mononegavirales Infections / epidemiology
Mononegavirales Infections / veterinary*
Mononegavirales Infections / virology
Netherlands / epidemiology
Risk Factors
Sciuridae / virology*
Zoonoses