Rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus

Overview

Rabies lyssavirus (RABV) and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) are viruses carried by bats that affect the central nervous system and can cause severe disease leading to death in a broad range of mammals, including people.

Australia remains free of RABV, but ABLV is endemic in Australian bats with many similarities to RABV. Although rare, all bats in Australia should be treated as potential carriers of ABLV.

ABLV is more commonly detected in bats that are injured or unwell. Signs that may indicate infection in bats include:

• unusual or aggressive behaviour, including unusual vocalisation or wild bats not afraid of people
• neurological symptoms such as paralysis or seizures.

It’s important to note that even bats that appear healthy may still carry ABLV.

What are RABV and ABLV?

Rabies virus (RABV) and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) are closely related members of the Lyssavirus genus. The Lyssavirus genus contains 7 genotypes, of which classical rabies virus is grouped in Genotype 1 and ABLV is in a distinct and different genotype – Genotype 7.

The clinical symptoms caused by RABV are indistinguishable from those caused by other lyssaviruses, including ABLV.

Rabies virus (RABV)

Rabies virus is endemic in many regions across the globe, including Asia, India, Africa, the Americas and parts of Europe. Countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia report particularly high rates of rabies.

Travellers to these areas should be aware of the risk and seek advice on appropriate preventive measures, as RABV infection can occur following exposure in endemic regions.

Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV)

Australian bat lyssavirus was first identified in Queensland in 1996. Research indicates that ABLV infection is rare, with less than 1% of wild bats estimated to carry the virus. However, prevalence is higher among sick or deceased bats submitted for testing.

As of July 2025, 4 human deaths from ABLV have been recorded in Australia. All cases involved a history of bat bites or scratches.

The only confirmed cases of ABLV in domestic animals in Australia involved 2 yearling horses in Queensland in May 2013. The horses had been grazing together and were believed to have been infected simultaneously.

Although no other domestic animal cases have been confirmed in Australia, related lyssaviruses overseas have caused disease in a variety of wild and domesticated animal species.

There have been no documented cases of ABLV transmission from infected non-bat animals to humans. However, based on evidence from similar lyssaviruses, such transmission should be considered possible.

Public health significance

Infections with ABLV and RABV are serious zoonotic diseases. People who handle bats or potentially infected animals are at risk, especially veterinarians, nurses and wildlife carers.

Key precautions

• Only trained and experienced personnel should handle bats.
• A current rabies vaccination and appropriate PPE are essential.
• The rabies vaccine is believed to offer cross-protection against ABLV.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), when used correctly, is highly effective in preventing infection.
• Practise good hygiene principles when wearing PPE:
  • Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose.
  • Cover any cuts or grazes with a water-resistant dressing under PPE (i.e. band-aid).
  • Do not eat or drink while wearing PPE.
  • Thoroughly wash hands and face after removing PPE.

Members of the public should not handle bats. Instead, contact trained wildlife carers or DEECA wildlife officers for assistance.

To contact a local wildlife service, refer to  DEECA’s Wildlife Victoria webpage, which includes a Help for injured wildlife toolkit, or call the DEECA Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

For detailed PPE and handling guidelines, refer to Wildlife Health Australia’s Personal protective equipment information for bat handlers.

What species are affected?

Lyssaviruses can infect most mammals, including humans. It is assumed that all bat species are capable of carrying and transmitting lyssaviruses.

In Australia, both microbats and megabats have been found to be infected with ABLV. Internationally, several bat species have been implicated in RABV outbreaks.

In developed countries, rabies 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.

Animal species affected by RABV

• Domestic and wild canids, including dogs, foxes, coyotes and wolves, are highly susceptible to RABV. Dingoes are likely to also be susceptible, although RABV does not occur in Australia
• Other wild carnivores also carry virus in endemic regions (e.g. raccoons, skunks, mongoose)
• Other domestic species such as cats and livestock (cattle, horses) can be infected
• Dogs remain the primary source of human rabies infections globally.

Animal species affected by ABLV

• ABLV is primarily found in bats.
• Spillover to other species is rare, with only one confirmed outbreak of ABLV infection in 2 horses in Queensland.

How are the viruses spread?

Both viruses are typically transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. The viruses cannot penetrate intact skin; therefore, infection occurs when virus-laden saliva (or other bodily fluids) enters the body through:

• broken skin (e.g. wounds, bites or scratches)
• mucous membranes (e.g. eyes, nose or mouth).

Spread of ABLV

• ABLV is unlikely to survive outside a bat or in a dead bat for more than a few hours, especially in dry, sunlit environments.
• Exposure to blood, urine or faeces is not known to transmit infection.

Spread of RABV

• Infected animals (e.g. dogs, cats, foxes, dingoes or bats) may shed the virus for up to 10 days before showing symptoms.
• Herbivores (e.g. cattle, horses or deer) rarely transmit the virus to other animals but can infect humans.
• Meat, unpasteurised milk and milk products from infected or suspected animals should be treated as potentially infectious.

Clinical signs

Lyssavirus infections primarily affect the nervous system, leading to a wide range of neurological and behavioural signs. Symptoms can be variable and intermittent, progressing over time.

The incubation period – the time from exposure to the onset of symptoms – can range from several weeks to years. It is essential to seek veterinary advice for exposed animals (including livestock, horses or pets), even if significant time has passed since the animal came into contact with the bat or other potentially infected animal.

Clinical signs in bats

Signs of ABLV infection in bats can vary from no visible symptoms to severe neurological disease.

Possible signs include:

• presence in unusual locations during the day (e.g. not in normal roosts)
• grounded bats or those unable to fly normally
• abnormal behaviour (e.g. aggression, docility, shivering or excessive salivation)
• respiratory issues or change in vocalisation
• seizures, tremors, paralysis or general weakness.

Clinical signs in other animals

Infected domestic or wild animals may show:

• marked behavioural changes (ranging from lethargy to aggression) and loss of fear or shyness in wild animals
• progressive paralysis, restlessness, muscle tremors and/or hyperreactivity to stimuli
• increased sensitivity at the site of exposure
• fever or temporary rise in temperature
• reduced production (in livestock)
• changes in appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea
• dilated pupils
• unusual vocalisations, excessive salivation and/or difficulty swallowing
• as the disease advances, development of ataxia, paralysis or coma
• progression of disease leading to death.

Notifications

All suspected cases of ABLV/RABV in injured or sick bats or other animals (such as pet dogs, cats or horses) must be reported to Agriculture Victoria using 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 or qualified medical practitioners urgently.

Prompt notification is important to ensure the health and welfare of potentially infected people and animals can be appropriately managed.

Bat scratches or bites – what to do

In people

If you are scratched or bitten by a bat, seek immediate medical advice.

Professional advice should be sought regardless of any previous rabies vaccination, the severity of the wound, the bat species involved or whether the bat appears sick.

Take the following steps 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).
• If your eyes, nose or mouth were exposed, flush the area thoroughly with water.
• Seek medical help as soon as possible.

For the latest public health advice, go to Better Health Channel Victoria – Australian Bat Lyssavirus

In animals

If you suspect your animal has been bitten or scratched by a bat, or exposed to bat saliva, you should immediately seek veterinary advice.

You can contact:

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

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

Information for veterinarians

Live bats should only be handled by staff with a current rabies vaccination and wearing appropriate PPE.

Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a notifiable disease in Victoria. Any suspected cases in animals must be reported immediately to Agriculture Victoria under the Victorian Livestock Disease Control Act 1994. Please contact:

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

All potential human exposures must be reported to the Department of Health or a qualified medical practitioner so that an appropriate medical response can be initiated.

The risk of ABLV transmission can be influenced by several factors, including,

• extent of exposure to the bat – close contact such as bites/scratches from the bat or active chewing/mouthing of the bat are higher risk
• bat mortality – was the bat alive or dead when the animal came into contact with it? Bat bites and scratches are more likely if the bat was alive
• bat availability – is the bat alive or dead and available for testing?
• clinical signs in the animal or bat – if either the animal or bat is exhibiting clinical signs of ABLV the case should be treated as a priority and urgently investigated.

Management of animals exposed to ABLV (or suspected exposure)

Veterinarians should take a precautionary approach to potential exposures to ABLV and assume that possible exposures between animals and bats may transmit ABLV to the in-contact animals.

Post-exposure vaccination is recommended for pets and horses following contact (or suspected contact) with an ABLV-infected bat, even if the incident occurred days or weeks ago.

Veterinarians can apply to the Chief Veterinary Officer (Victoria) for approval to administer the rabies vaccine under a special permit. This vaccine is not available for general use and can only be administered under authorised conditions.

Veterinarians should contact their local district veterinary officer at Agriculture Victoria (136 186) for guidance on the application process and access to vaccine.

For more information on the management of animals exposed or suspected to have been exposed to ABLV, refer to Agriculture Victoria’s ABLV investigation checklist.

To apply to use rabies vaccine in animals, download Agriculture Victoria’s Application to the Victorian Chief Veterinary Officer for authorisation to use rabies vaccine.

Reducing the risk of spread

Good hygiene, appropriate use of PPE, decontamination of PPE and thoroughly washing yourself and any materials before leaving an infected site/property will protect you from spreading the virus to other people or animals.

Lyssaviruses do not survive very well outside the animal and are destroyed by a disinfectant and detergent (such as warm, soapy water).

It is recommended to shower and launder all clothing worn before engaging with other people or handling other animals.

Further information

• Australia’s agreed lyssaviruses response plan can be found on the Animal Health Australia webpage https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ausvetplan/
• For human health information about ABLV visit Better Health Channel Victoria – Australian bat lyssavirus infection
• For human health information about rabies virus, visit Better Health Channel Victoria – Rabies