Rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus

Rabies lyssavirus (RABV) and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) are viral diseases of the central nervous system that are carried by bats.

ABLV is an emerging infectious disease in Australia and has much in common with RABV.

Australia is currently RABV-free.

Although ABLV and RABV are rare, you should treat all bats in Australia as if they could be carrying ABLV. ABLV is more likely to be found in injured or sick bats. Signs of ill-health such as unusual or aggressive behaviour, or other neurological signs such as paralysis or seizures, can be suggestive of ABLV infection. However, bats that appear healthy may also carry the virus.

Avoid handling bats unless you have been vaccinated against rabies, are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) – such as gloves, face mask or eye protection – and are familiar with handling bats.

If you are scratched or bitten by a bat, you should seek immediate medical advice, regardless of any previous rabies vaccination, the severity of the wound, the bat species involved or whether or not the bat appears sick.

What are RABV and ABLV?

RABV and ABLV are closely related members of the genus Lyssavirus. The disease caused by RABV is clinically indistinguishable from that caused by other lyssaviruses, including ABLV.

RABV

RABV is endemic in Asia, India, Africa, North and South America, and parts of Europe. High rates of rabies are reported from the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. Travellers to these areas should be aware of the risk and seek advice on appropriate precautionary measures.

Rabies can occur as a very rare infection of travellers to endemic areas.

ABLV

ABLV was first identified in Queensland, Australia in 1996.

Research suggests that infection with ABLV is rare. It is estimated that less than 1% of wild bats carry the virus, although in sick or dead bats presented to the laboratory for testing the prevalence is higher.

As of July 2025, 4 people have died in Australia from ABLV infection. All cases had a history of bites or scratches from a bat.

The only reported cases of ABLV in domestic animals in Australia have been associated with 2 yearling horses in Queensland (in May 2013). The horses had been grazing together and were believed to have been infected at the same time.

Despite the lack of confirmed animal-related ABLV cases in Australia, there are several overseas reports of other closely related lyssaviruses that have caused disease in a wide range of domesticated and wild animal species.

There have been no reported cases of ABLV transmission between infected non-bat animals and people. However, based on evidence from similar viruses, it should be assumed that this could be possible.

What is the risk to people?

ABLV and rabies are zoonotic diseases (transmitted from animals to humans) and can cause serious disease in people.

Anyone handling bats or other potentially infected animals or materials must have a current rabies vaccination and use protective gear.

Classical rabies virus is closely related to ABLV and the rabies vaccine is believed to provide cross-protection.

Veterinarians, nurses and wildlife carers who regularly handle bats or flying foxes are at risk of becoming infected with ABLV. The general public and non-rabies vaccinated individuals should be discouraged from rescuing or handling bats. Trained wildlife carers or Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) wildlife officers can be contacted to provide a safe and effective means of assisting dead or injured bats.

All personnel handling bats or other potentially infected animals or materials MUST be experienced, have a current rabies vaccination and use appropriate PPE. Appropriate use of PPE is a highly effective defence against contracting illness.

Wildlife health Australia provides a comprehensive list of PPE and bat handling advice.

I have been bitten/scratched by a bat (or other infected animal) – what should I do?

If you are scratched or bitten by a bat, you should seek immediate medical advice, regardless of any previous rabies vaccination, the severity of the wound, the bat species involved or whether or not the bat appears sick.

If you are bitten or scratched by a bat in Australia, you should immediately:

  • wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes
  • apply an antiseptic with antiviral action, such as povidone iodine, iodine tincture, aqueous iodine solution or alcohol (ethanol) after washing
  • if mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth) have been exposed, flush the area thoroughly with water.
  • get medical help as soon as possible.

I think my animal has been bitten/scratched by a bat (or other infected animal) – what should I do?

If you suspect one of your animals has been bitten, scratched and/or exposed to the saliva of a bat or other infected animal, immediately seek veterinary advice.

You can call:

  • your veterinarian
  • your local Agriculture Victoria Animal Health and Welfare staff
  • the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

ABLV is a notifiable disease and must be reported immediately to Agriculture Victoria under the Victorian Livestock Disease Control Act.

How are the viruses spread?

RABV and ABLV are usually transmitted to humans via bites or scratches: the viruses cannot penetrate healthy skin. Virus in the saliva of diseased animals infects healthy animals via exposed tissue and nerve endings through open skin wounds, bites or scratches.

Transmission can also occur from the exposure of eyes and/or mucous membranes in the nose or mouth to infected saliva.

Spread of ABLV

ABLV is unlikely to survive outside the bat or in a dead bat for more than a few hours, especially in dry environments that are exposed to sunlight. Contact with bat faeces, urine or blood do not pose a risk of exposure to ABLV, nor do living, playing or walking near bat roosting areas.

Spread of RABV

In the case of RABV, infected animals such as dogs, cats, wild carnivorous species such as foxes and likely dingoes, and bats may shed the virus for up to 10 days before exhibiting clinical signs.

Cattle, horses, deer and other herbivores can become infected with RABV but rarely transmit the virus to other animals. However, they are capable of transmitting disease to people.

All of the body of an infected animal carcass is considered to be contaminated and a potential risk for ongoing spread of the virus.

Any meat, meat products, unpasteurised milk and milk products from an animal confirmed or suspected to be infected with a lyssavirus should be regarded as potentially infectious.

What species are affected?

Lyssaviruses can infect most (if not all) warm-blooded mammals, including people.

It is assumed that all bat species are capable of carrying and transmitting lyssaviruses. Several different bat species have been implicated in overseas outbreaks of RABV and a number of microbat and megabat species in Australia have been found to be infected with ABLV.

Species affected by RABV

Most domesticated and wild dog species (including foxes, coyotes, wolves and possibly dingoes) are susceptible to RABV infection. Infected dogs remain the highest risk source for human transmission.

In developed countries, RABV is mainly found in wild animal hosts. Disease is spread from wild hosts to domestic animals and humans. In contrast, domestic dogs continue to be the main hosts in most developing countries, such as in Africa and Asia, and are responsible for most of the rabies deaths that occur worldwide.

Species affected by ABLV

Spillover infection of ABLV from bats to other animals is rare, with only one incident reported in horses in Queensland.

What are the clinical signs of Rabies/ABLV in animals?

Clinical signs in animals are usually due to effects on the animal’s nervous system and may present with variable and intermittent changes as the disease progresses.

The time from exposure to the virus to the start of symptoms varies — from several weeks to years. It is vital to seek medical advice for exposed people or veterinary advice in cases of livestock, horses or pets, even if some time has elapsed since the exposure.

Clinical signs in infected bats are variable, ranging from clinically normal to severe neurological disease. Clinical signs may include:

  • bats in unusual locations during the daytime (not in normal roosts)
  • bats on the ground or low in a tree with an inability to take off or fly normally or appearing to be injured
  • behavioural signs (such as aggression, docility, shivering and salivation)
  • respiratory difficulties, change of voice
  • seizures, tremors, paralysis or weakness.

In other animals, lyssavirus may present with clinical signs of:

  • significant behavioural changes (varies from unusually quiet and lethargic to excessively restless and aggressive)
  • unexplained progressive paralysis
  • increased sensitivity at the wound site
  • temporary rise in temperature
  • drop in production
  • restlessness
  • muscle tremors
  • changes in appetite
  • vomiting, diarrhoea
  • hyperreactivity to stimuli
  • sexual excitement
  • pupil dilation
  • increased salivation
  • difficulty swallowing
  • unusual vocalisation
  • loss of normal shyness and fear of people (in wild animals).

As the disease progresses, ataxia, paralysis and coma typically precede death.

Diagnosis

All suspected cases of ABLV in injured or sick bats or other animals (such as pet dogs and cats or horses) should be reported to Agriculture Victoria via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 and investigated by a veterinarian.

All human exposures must be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services or qualified medical practitioners.

Advice for veterinarians can be sourced in the following document:

Management of animals exposed to ABLV (suspected exposure)

Post-exposure vaccination is recommended for pets and horses, even if the exposure to the infected bat was some time ago (days or weeks).

You should contact your veterinary practitioner who can apply to the Chief Veterinary Officer in Victoria for approval to undertake rabies vaccination of the exposed pets, horses or livestock. This vaccine can only be used under a special permit.

Veterinarians should contact Agriculture Victoria for further information on applying for a rabies vaccine.

ABLV vet investigation checklist

Follow the ABLV vet investigation checklist for advice. If rabies vaccine is required please download the form.

More information

Page last updated: 09 Jul 2025