Syn: Australian bat lyssavirus, pteropid lyssavirus

Australian bat lyssavirus is closely related to classical rabies virus and causes similar progressive neurological disease in naturally-infected bats and humans.

Flying foxes (fruit bats) and insectivorous bats are affected. Subclinical infection apparently occurs in bats, which are the reservoir of the virus.

Australian bat lyssavirus infection is notifiable. Fees for tests undertaken to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of lyssavirus infection are paid by NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Caution Lyssavirus is a zoonotic agent, causing fatal infections in humans.

Clinical signs in bats include behavioural changes (aggression/docility, shivering, salivation) and paralysis. Where disease is suspected, bats should be euthanased and sent to the laboratory for necropsy. All bats should be handled with care to avoid bites and scratches.

The general public should be discouraged from rescuing or handling bats (paralysed, aggressive or unusually-docile bats are at high risk of being clinically-affected). People bitten or scratched by bats should consult a General Practitioner immediately and seek prophylactic vaccination. Individuals regularly handling potentially-affected bats (wildlife carers, veterinary pathologists) should be vaccinated against rabies.

Further information on human health issues from the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aging website.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs , histopathology, virology.

Specimens required

1. Whole bat (chilled)