Australian bat lyssavirus
Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a virus found in Australian bats that may cause fatal encephalitis – infection and inflammation of the brain. It affects bats, horses and humans, and may 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 SA are all protected and should be left alone.
Where ABLV has been found
In South Australia, ABLV 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 South Australia.
How ABLV is spread
ABLV is found in the saliva and is usually transmitted by:
- bites
- contamination of a fresh wound, scratch or mucous membranes with infected saliva.
While ABLV infection is rare, any bat has the potential to spread the virus. ABLV infection is more common in sick, injured or orphaned bats. Paralysed, aggressive or unusually docile bats are at high risk of being infected.
There is no known risk of contracting ABLV from:
- contact with 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, any food that has been bitten by any animal should not be eaten, as it could be contaminated by other germs.
Avoiding infection
You should assume that all bat species found in Australia, including flying-foxes and microbats, may carry ABLV.
It cannot survive for long outside of the host bat. ABLV can be inactivated or made non-infectious with disinfectant or soap.
Find out the precautions you should take to limit exposure to flying-foxes.
More information
- Australian bat lyssavirus (Queensland Government)
- SA Health information
