Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How can vets protect against Australian bat lyssavirus?
By Thompson, G K·Published in Australian veterinary journal·1999·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Veterinary surgeon's guide to Australian bat lyssavirus.
- Species:
- wildlife
Plain-English summary
Veterinary surgeons in Australia need to be aware of a virus called Australian bat lyssavirus, which can cause serious illness similar to rabies in both bats and humans. Since its discovery in 1996, this virus has been linked to the deaths of two people in Queensland. Because all Australian bats may carry this virus, it's important for anyone handling bats to wear protective clothing. To help prevent infection, veterinarians and others at risk should consider getting vaccinated against rabies before exposure. If someone is exposed to the virus, they should receive specific treatments, including a special injection and a series of rabies vaccinations.
Abstract
Veterinary surgeons in Australia must be aware of the emerging viral diseases and their potential effects on public health generally and, more specifically, on the veterinary profession. Australian bat lyssavirus was identified in 1996 and causes rabies-like disease in bats and humans. Two humans from Queensland have died of Australian bat lyssavirus encephalitis. Surveillance has shown that all Australian bats must be considered carriers of this new virus, therefore protective apparel should be used when handling bats. The pre-exposure regimen of inactivated rabies vaccine (Pasteur Mérieux) provides protection against infection. As part of the preventive regimen, at risk groups, such as veterinary surgeons, should seriously consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination. The post-exposure protocol involves administration of human rabies immunoglobulins and five intramuscular injections of the inactivated rabies vaccine.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10685161/