Three squirrel breeders in Germany died earlier this year due to brain inflammation, Popular Science reports. The deaths were likely caused by a mutated bornavirus, which is usually found in horses, birds and pigs. Humans were previously thought to not be affected by this virus, which turned out to be false, according to Live Science.
The three men were between the ages of 60 and 70 and friends who frequently spent time together. They were all squirrel breeders, and two of the men happened to get either scratched or bitten from the squirrels. All three men developed encephalitis, which is brain inflammation caused by a virus. Eventually, all three slipped into comas and died.
Doctors were befuddled at teh causes of the deaths. After finding no results as to why the men developed encephalitis, researchers looked into the possibly of it being caused by the squirrels. A genetic test on one of the squirrels found a virus that was foreign to researchers. They named that virus VSBV-1, according to Yahoo. The antibodies just so happened to be found in the blood and spinal fluid of one of the deceased men.
Although this does not completely prove that the men died from this virus transmitted by the squirrels, it is reason for concern. European health officials caution people to stay away from feeding or contacting squirrels.
