West Nil virus at Falken in Potsdam: New dangers for humans and animals

West Nil virus at Falken in Potsdam: New dangers for humans and animals

A falconer finds in Potsdam raises alarming questions: the West Nil virus was detected in a dead falcon. The occasion for the investigation was the occurrence of clinical symptoms in the feathered animal. This worrying discovery was confirmed by the responsible laboratory at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute. The virus had also recently been recognized in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district in horses, which increases the worries about the spread of the virus in the region.

The West Nil virus is a notification of animal disease, which means that the proof of the virus must be reported to the responsible authorities immediately. It is particularly worrying that this virus can not only affect animals, but can also pass to humans when transmitted. With birds, symptomless infections often occur, but certain bird species are susceptible to serious epidemics that can often have fatal consequences. In contrast to horses, there are no vaccination facilities for birds or people.

Distribution of the virus in Germany

The news of the Friedrich Loeffler Institute indicates a disturbing reality: the virus could hibernate in local mosquitoes in Germany. Scientists think it is likely that the virus has increasingly established itself in regions such as Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony. Diseases in humans have been determined sporadically since 2019; However, it should be noted that, according to the Robert Koch Institute, only a small part of the infected symptoms shows.

The transmission of the West Nil virus is mainly through mosquitoes that can transfer the pathogens of birds to other hosts, including humans.

The situation has been strongly reminiscent of how important the monitoring of animal diseases is, especially in times when climate change contributes to the fact that such viruses can gain a foothold in new regions. The detection of the virus for a falcon in Potsdam and the previous cases in horses in the area are not only alarming for the wildlife, but also raises questions about public health.