What Australian bat lyssavirus is
Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is closely related to the rabies virus. It is unique to Australia. Any bat in Australia, including flying foxes, could carry ABLV.
ABLV can spread to a person who is bitten or scratched by an infected bat.
ABLV causes a rare but serious disease in humans. Anyone who has been scratched or bitten by a bat requires urgent medical attention so the correct management can be given.
Even people who have had previous vaccination for rabies need to seek medical attention if they are exposed, as additional vaccine doses may be needed.
Why it matters to public health
Human ABLV infections are rare. When it does occur, ABLV infection causes a serious illness which is almost always fatal.
Because of the seriousness of ABLV infections, we:
- monitor and report on ABLV in humans
- work with colleagues in the animal and environmental sectors to ensure a One Health approach.
Symptoms
ABLV infections have a similar clinical presentation to rabies.
The illness usually starts with flu-like symptoms that may last from a few days to weeks. Common symptoms include:
The illness then progresses to:
ABLV usually causes death within 1 to 2 weeks of onset of symptoms.
Onset of symptoms
Symptoms usually start 2 to 3 months after exposure to the virus, but this can range from 5 days to several years.
How it spreads
ABLV spreads to people through a bite or scratch from an infected bat. The urine, faeces and blood of infected bats are not known to be infectious.
There have been no reports of human-to-human transmission of ABLV.
Infectious period
The infectious period for humans infected with ABLV is unknown.
Prevention
The best way to protect yourself from ABLV is not to touch bats, especially if they are sick or injured. Instead, immediately call WIRES Rescue Line on 1300 094 737.
ABLV is vaccine preventable – the same vaccines are effective against ABLV and rabies.
Vaccination is recommended for people who are at greater risk of exposure through their work or other activities. These include:
- people who work or volunteer with bats
- wildlife carers
- laboratory workers who work with live lyssaviruses.
If you have been scratched or bitten by a bat in Australia, act quickly to prevent infection – seek immediate medical attention, even if you are vaccinated.
If you are bitten or scratched by a bat in Australia:
- wash the wound for at least 15 minutes with soap and water
- apply an antiseptic with antiviral properties
- if your eyes, nose or mouth have been exposed, immediately flush with water
- seek urgent medical attention (even if you have been vaccinated for rabies).
All bats in Australia should be considered potentially infected and able to transmit ABLV.
Your doctor may recommend:
- a course of rabies vaccination
- rabies immunoglobulin (for people who have not previously been vaccinated).
You may also be asked when you were last vaccinated against tetanus. You may require a tetanus booster.
High-risk groups and settings
People at greater risk of severe disease
People who are unvaccinated are at greater risk of severe illness and death.
People at greater risk of exposure
People who may have contact with bats are at greater risk of ABLV. This includes people who work, volunteer or undertake other activities with bats.
Laboratory staff who work with live lyssaviruses are also at greater risk of exposure.
If you are at greater risk of exposure to ABLV, it is especially important to:
- discuss rabies vaccination with your healthcare professional before you start working with bats or lyssaviruses
- follow your healthcare professional’s advice on booster doses
- undertake any relevant training, including about the safe handling of bats and use of personal protective equipment.
Diagnosis and treatment
ABLV infection can be diagnosed with a test, which may require:
- saliva
- cerebrospinal fluid
- skin biopsy from the back of the neck.
The sample used depends on the stage of the disease.
There is no specific treatment for ABLV. If you have symptoms, you will need to be cared for in hospital.
Read more about how to manage or treat ABLV.
Surveillance and reporting
ABLV is a nationally notifiable disease – these are diseases that present a risk to public health.
Health authorities in each state and territory report new laboratory confirmed cases to us daily through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.
This is part of our surveillance activities, which help us monitor case numbers around the country and understand disease and exposure patterns.
We analyse the data and report on case numbers and other data through our data visualisation tool, where you can filter and search the latest information.
Read more about ABLV testing in bats.
Support
For information about ABLV in your state or territory see:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia.
If you need mental health support, see a list of organisations, websites and services that offer support, counselling and information.
We regularly add new content to this website. This will include more topics and diseases. In the meantime, information about other diseases in Australia is on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website.