Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Australian bat lyssavirus infection is a rare but highly fatal disease that affects the central nervous system.
- Australian bat lyssavirus is related to the rabies virus.
- It is spread to people from infected bats.
- People should not attempt to handle bats unless appropriately trained and vaccinated.
- Vaccination is recommended for people with an increased risk of contact with bats.
- If exposed to a potentially infected bat, wash the wound and seek medical care urgently. Treatment with vaccine and immunoglobulin may be recommended.
On this page
- Australian bat lyssavirus infection explained
- Australian bat lyssavirus symptoms
- How Australian bat lyssavirus is spread
- Risk factors for Australian bat lyssavirus
- Preventing Australian bat lyssavirus
- What should you do if exposed to a potentially infected animal?
- Diagnosing Australian bat lyssavirus
- Treating Australian bat lyssavirus
- Where to get help
Australian bat lyssavirus infection explained
Australian bat lyssavirus infection is a rare but serious illness that affects the central nervous system. It is thought to be similar to rabies and is highly fatal.
Australian bat lyssavirus is related to the rabies virus and other lyssaviruses. Australian bat lyssavirus is found in bats across Australia. There have only been three human cases of Australian bat lyssavirus infection.
Australian bat lyssavirus symptoms
Symptoms of Australian bat lyssavirus infection can occur within days or up to several years after exposure.
Early symptoms are flu-like and can include fever, headache, fatigue and malaise. Symptoms quickly progress to muscle weakness, sensory changes, confusion, convulsion, and loss of consciousness.
Australian bat lyssavirus infection is almost always fatal, with death usually occurring within 1 to 2 weeks of symptoms starting. All three human cases resulted in death.
How Australian bat lyssavirus is spread
Australian bat lyssavirus is spread to people from infected bats through bites, scratches or contact with saliva to broken skin or the eyes, nose, mouth.
The virus has been found in fruit bat, flying fox and insect-eating microbat species. It should be assumed that any bat in Australia can potentially carry and spread the virus.
Risk factors for Australian bat lyssavirus
People who come into close contact with bats due to their work, volunteering, recreation or other activities are at increased risk of Australian bat lyssavirus infection. These may include:
- bat handlers and carers
- veterinarians and associated workers
- wildlife officers
- researchers
- cave explorers
- other workers such as power-line workers
People at high risk of bat exposure are recommended to be vaccinated.
Preventing Australian bat lyssavirus
Members of the public should not attempt to handle bats. Only appropriately trained and vaccinated people should handle wildlife.
If an animal is suspected of having Australian bat lyssavirus, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on Tel. 1800 675 888 (24/7). To contact a local wildlife service, refer to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)’s Wildlife Victoria webpage, including the Help for Injured Wildlife toolkit. Alternatively, call the DEECA Customer Service Centre on Tel. 136 186.
Vaccination is recommended for people with an increased risk of bat exposure. Three vaccine doses are given over one month as part of preventive vaccination. For people with ongoing bat exposure, periodic blood testing every three years is recommended to check whether a booster dose of vaccine is needed.
The Department of Health funds an initial schedule of up to three vaccine doses for volunteer Australian wildlife handlers which can be accessed through the doctor by submitting the pre-exposure rabies treatment order form. Booster doses are not funded.
What should you do if exposed to a potentially infected animal?
Even if previously vaccinated, people who have been bitten, scratched or exposed to the saliva of a potentially infected bat should:
- wash the wound with soap and water immediately and thoroughly for at least 15 minutes
- apply an antiseptic with anti-viral action such as iodine (e.g. povidone-iodine, iodine tincture or aqueous iodine solution) or alcohol (ethanol) to all wounds after washing
- seek medical care as soon as possible
The doctor may recommend treatment to reduce the risk of infection. Treatment may involve a combination of multiple doses of vaccine given over a month and an injection of immunoglobulin.
At times, health authorities may request wildlife services or DEECA wildlife officers to capture the bat. Members of the public should not attempt to handle the bat.
Diagnosing Australian bat lyssavirus
Diagnosis of Australian bat lyssavirus infection is through laboratory testing of blood, spinal fluid, skin and nervous tissues.
However, diagnosis can be difficult and may only occur post-mortem.
Treating Australian bat lyssavirus
There is no effective treatment available for Australian bat lyssavirus infection. Treatment is supportive.
Where to get help
- In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
- Emergency department of your nearest hospital
- Your GP (doctor)
- For more information, please contact your Local Public Health Units
- Department of Health
- Agriculture Victoria – Emergency animal diseases
- Wildlife Victoria
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