Australian bat lyssavirus
Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is found in native bats and may cause fatal encephalitis – infection and inflammation of the brain. It affects bats, horses and humans, with potential to spread to other animals like dogs and cats.
Like the rabies virus, ABLV can be transmitted through bites or scratches from an infected bat.
Grey-headed flying-foxes and other microbat species in South Australia are all protected and should be left alone. Find out the precautions you should take to limit exposure to flying-foxes.
ABLV detections
In SA, the virus has only been found in grey-headed flying-foxes. In other states, it has been detected in different flying-fox species and one microbat species.
While less than one percent of wild bats carry ABLV in Australia, there have been positive detections in rescued bats in SA.
How ABLV spreads
ABLV is found in the saliva and contamination occurs when it comes into contact with a fresh wound, scratch, or mucous membranes, usually through bat bites.
While ABLV infection is rare, any bat has the potential to spread the virus. It is more common in docile, sick, injured, or orphaned bats.
There is no known risk of contracting ABLV from:
- bat urine, faeces or blood
- bats flying overhead
- living, playing or walking near bat roosting areas
- eating fruit that was partially eaten by a bat.
Although there is no evidence to suggest ABLV can be spread through shared fruit, food that has been bitten by any animal should not be eaten, as it could be contaminated by other germs.
Clinical signs in bats
The infection produces a range of clinical signs of central nervous system disease, including:
- paresis (weakness), with an inability to fly, or properly hang, swallow, or move around
- paralysis – most obvious in the hind limbs
- seizures or tremors
- unusual vocalisation or incessant licking
- changes in behaviour, such as agitation, aggression, and approaching people – this is rare for healthy bats.
Infected bats may not show any symptoms of illness, with less than 20% of ABLV positive bats displaying signs of illness. You should assume that all bat species found in Australia, including flying-foxes and microbats, may carry ABLV.
Human exposure
ABLV is likely to be fatal in humans. Regardless of your previous vaccination status, you must get medical attention as soon as you are bitten or scratched.
The virus cannot survive for long outside of the host bat. ABLV can be inactivated or made non-infectious with disinfectant or soap. If you are scratched or bitten by a bat, take these steps:
- Clean the area with soap and water for at least 5 minutes.
- Apply antiseptic such as povidone-iodine.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Commence a course of post-exposure prophylaxis if necessary.
- Arrange for the bat to be submitted to PIRSA's Gribbles VETLAB for testing – contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
Find more information from SA Health.
Doctors can seek further information from SA Health Communicable Diseases Control Branch on 1300 232 272.
Animal exposure
If you think your animal has been bitten or scratched by a bat, immediately contact your vet or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
If an ABLV positive bat comes into contact with a domestic pet, the risk of infection is still extremely low. Post-exposure vaccination may be undertaken – usually 2 vaccines, a week apart. Learn more in the ABLV post-exposure vaccination guidelines with Nobivac inactivated rabies vaccine ().
Vaccination may also be approved for use in animals exposed to a bat that was unable to be tested. This should be done as soon as possible after the incident.
Animal owners will be responsible for costs associated with all veterinary consultations and the rabies vaccine.
A private veterinarian who reports a suspect ABLV exposure incident must apply to use an inactivated rabies vaccine. This needs to be approved by the South Australian Chief Veterinary Officer before ordering and using the vaccine for this purpose. Download the Application to use Nobivac inactivated rabies vaccine ().
Emergency Animal Disease Hotline
Suspected disease or pests in livestock, poultry or aquatic animals must be reported immediately.
Call us to help stop the spread of animal illness, even if you are unsure of the disease.