PRO/AH/EDR> Squirrel bornavirus – Germany: animals, pet squirrels, alert

Other Animal Disease — Germany
During the 1st weeks of 2016, the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) detected further cases of variegated squirrel 1 bornavirus (VSBV-1) in pet squirrels from zoos and breeders. Variegated squirrels as well as several species of the subfamily Callosciurinae were affected. Therefore, the FLI recommends testing of all pet squirrels for the virus.
Studies indicate a zoonotic character of VSBV-1 and that 3 breeders have been infected by their variegated squirrels. At present it is unclear