AN OUTBREAK of a deadly virus has killed three people - jumping from animals to humans, experts have warned.

Four cases of the Borna virus have been confirmed in Germany.

4 A deadly virus that causes brain inflammation has killed three people in Germany, experts warn Credit: Getty - Contributor

Scientists fear it is one of the first cases of the deadly bug, which causes brain inflammation, jumping to humans.

And they believe the animal responsible for the human infection is a shrew - suggesting a scratch, or inhaling particles from an infected animals' poo or pee could cause infection.

The outbreak "raises questions about the zoonotic (animal-to-human) spread of the infection", the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said.

Three of those infected all received organs from the same donor - suggesting it can be transmitted via transplant ops, they added.

4 The Borna virus is thought to have jumped from an animal to infect humans in the second reported outbreak Credit: Getty - Contributor

"Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) has been associated with human disease in four cases in Germany, resulting in the death of three people," an ECDC report into the outbreak confirmed.

The four cases were reported on March 7.

Around 100 days after their transplant operations, two people who received the donor's kidneys slipped into comas and died.

Another person, who received the donor's liver, survived the infection.

4 Scientists believe the infection could be down to a shrew Credit: Getty - Contributor

And the fourth victim was found to have no link at all to the three transplant patients.

The ECDC said another patient suffering encephalitis is being tested for Borna disease.

While scientists suspect a shrew is the animal to blame, the ECDC added: "There is no information about possible exposure of the organ donor to animals and shrew in particular."

What is Borna virus? THERE are eight different strains of Borna virus, that affect different types of animal. The disease was first detected in the 18th century, and was named after the town of Borna, in Germany. Military horses dying of a brain condition were found to be infected with a new virus - the Borna virus. It is often seen in horses and sheep, as well as cows, goats, dogs and cats. In animals the virus' incubation period - the time it takes for symptoms to appear - ranges from two weeks to several months, meaning it could be spread easily. It causes a severe brain disorder, causing inflammation and paralysis in many cases. Within one to five weeks, many of those animals infected will die. In 2015, the first case of Borna disease jumping to humans was recorded.

The disease is regularly found in parts of central Europe, including parts of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

The ECDC warned doctors and transplant specialists "should be aware" of the possibility for the virus, which causes a condition called encephalitis, to be transmitted through donated organs, in these regions.

Borna disease was first detected in the 18th century, and was named after the town of Borna, in Germany.

4 Borna virus was first detected in horses in the 18th century, and is often seen in sheep, cows, goats, dogs and cats Credit: Getty - Contributor

Military horses dying of a brain condition were found to be infected with a new virus - the Borna virus.

It is often seen in horses and sheep, as well as cows, goats, dogs and cats.

In animals the virus' incubation period - the time it takes for symptoms to appear - ranges from two weeks to several months, meaning it could be spread easily.

It causes a severe brain disorder, causing inflammation and paralysis in many cases.

Within one to five weeks, many of those animals infected will die.

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While recovery is possible, the ECDC said the disease causes "life-long" problems.

In 2015, the first case of Borna disease jumping to humans was recorded.

Between 2001 and 2013, three men from the same part of Germany died after developing encephalitis within two to four months of each other.

The men all developed a fever, shivers, confusion, difficulty walking before slipping into a coma.

All three men bred squirrels, and scientists discovered a previously unknown strain of Borna virus was found in samples from the three men as well as a squirrel they had all been in contact with.

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