Like classical rabies, ABLV disrupts the nervous system resulting in changes in behaviour and mobility.

Bats

ABLV has been found in both fruit bats (flying foxes) and in small insect eating bats (microbats). Infected bats may not show any signs of disease while others can develop severe disease and die.

Affected bats are often paralysed or weak and may display abnormal vocalisation and aggressive behaviour including approaching people or animals. Their impaired ability to fly and evade predators means that ABLV infected bats are likely to be found on the ground, on fences or on low branches in trees. They may have seizures or develop tremors and usually die after a few days.

Horses

In May 2013 ABLV infection was confirmed in two yearling horses in Queensland. The horses had been grazing together and developed signs of ABLV infection around four days apart, suggesting close contact with the same infected bat. Both horses had signs of severe disease such as seizures, swallowing problems and incoordination and had to be euthanised.

Other domestic animals

There have been no reported cases of ABLV in other animals in Australia despite numerous known contacts between domestic species (especially cats and dogs) and ABLV-infected bats. In an experimental study on dogs and cats at the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) researchers were not able to produce the disease in dogs and cats artificially infected with the virus. However, overseas, other lyssaviruses occasionally naturally infect and cause rabies-like disease in a broad range of domestic and wild mammal species. Natural infection with European bat lyssavirus type 1, which is very closely related to ABLV, has been demonstrated in cats and sheep suggesting that occasional passage of ABLV to domestic animals other than horses is possible even if not confirmed to date. It is presumed that if an animal of a non-bat species develops disease due to ABLV infection, then that animal has the potential to spread ABLV to humans and other animals.

People

People are at risk of contracting ABLV if they handle bats without taking precautions. There have been four cases of human infection due to ABLV and all were fatal. The three people had a history of being scratched or bitten by bats. None of the affected people had been vaccinated against rabies. The cases occurred in 1996, 1998 and 2013 in Queensland and in 2025 NSW. Please see the NSW Health Fact sheet for further information: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/rabies-australian-bat-lyssavirus-infection.aspx

If you suspect disease due to ABLV in any species other than a bat, you have a legal duty to notify your suspicion immediately by calling Local Land Services on 1300 795 299, or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888. If you suspect disease due to ABLV infection in a bat, you must notify your suspicion within one working day and may do so via the numbers above or by contacting NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development via animal.biosecurity@dpird.nsw.gov.au.

If there is a known or suspected human exposure to a bat, this should be immediately reported to the NSW Health Local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055. The public health unit will arrange for post-exposure treatment where necessary and may coordinate with NSW DPI to submit the bat for diagnostic testing.

A potential ABLV exposure occurs where:

* a human or animal is bitten or scratched by a bat, or

* has mucous membrane (especially mouth, nose and eyes) or broken skin contact with saliva or tissue from a bat.

There is no requirement to notify an interaction between a bat and another animal, such as a cat or a dog, in cases when ABLV infection in the bat is not suspected. However, it is strongly recommended that an animal potentially exposed to a bat is vaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine by your private veterinarian. Rabies vaccine provides cross protection against ABLV infection. Your veterinarian may coordinate with DPI to arrange for diagnostic testing of the bat.

Vaccine should be administered as soon as possible after any suspect exposure. The animal should be kept confined until immunity develops which is estimated to be approximately 21-28 days. NSW DPI provides information on post exposure rabies vaccination for ABLV in the ABLV guidelines for veterinarians. Any costs associated with managing potential ABLV exposure in apparently healthy animals are the responsibility of the pet owner.

If vaccination is not undertaken, animals need to be monitored for at least two years to account for the lengthy incubation period (time between exposure and development of disease). Any contact with this animal during this time could present a risk for disease spread if they are infected. If monitored animals develop nervous signs or show any behaviour change, this must be immediately reported by calling Local Land Services or the Emergency Animal Disease hotline (see numbers above), the animal must be isolated and veterinary advice should be sought immediately. Any human exposure to the animal should be immediately reported and first aid steps listed in the section “Does ABLV affect people?” below should be undertaken.

Bats may be submitted for diagnostic testing when:

* there is a known or probable exposure of an animal to a bat

* the bat shows signs of disease suggestive of ABLV infection

* there has been known, probable or possible human exposure to ABLV from the bat. In this case, NSW Health must be notified too on 1300 066 055.

Live bats should only be handled by trained people who have received rabies vaccination. Considering an apparently healthy bat may be infected with ABLV, all bats should be treated as potentially infectious.

Members of the public are strongly advised not to attempt to handle any live bats. They should contact a wildlife care group (such as WIRES 1300 094 737) who can then transport these bats to a private veterinarian who normally deals with wildlife.

Information on recommended PPE for bat handlers can be found on the Wildlife Health Australia Website at https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Portals/0/ResourceCentre/BatHealth/PPE_Info_for_Bat_Handlers.pdf

If the bat is dead, it should be collected and placed inside a secure and waterproof container and transported to a private veterinarian. Handling the carcass remotely (e.g. using a garden fork, spade or other implements) and using rubber gloves are recommended methods of preventing a potential exposure to ABLV.

Diagnostic testing for the two known strains of ABLV is most accurate when done on brain tissue, so it is important that the whole bat carcass, including the head, is submitted. As such, post-exposure testing for domestic animals is not available unless the animal is euthanised. Information on sampling and diagnostics can be found in the Australian Bat Lyssavirus PrimeFact: Guidelines for Veterinarians. PDF, 245.37 KB

Testing is undertaken at both Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. While preliminary results may be available in a couple of days, confirmation by ACDP may take several weeks.

NSW DPIRD will pay for the cost of the courier and the laboratory testing for bats showing nervous signs or where there has been interaction with a human. Testing of bats where there has been a suspected or observed animal interaction will be the submitters responsibility. Contact NSW DPI Laboratory Services Customer Service Unit during business hours on 1800 675 623 prior to submitting any samples for ABLV testing.

The natural reservoir of ABLV in Australia is bats. Wherever bats are located, there is the risk of ABLV infection. Within NSW, positive cases of ABLV in bats have come from across the state.

Research indicates that ABLV is a rare infection, estimated to be present in less than 1% of wild bats. However, the prevalence in bats submitted to laboratories for ABLV testing (sick, injured or recently dead bats), is higher. A recent study by O’Connor, FInlaison Kirkland (2022) indicated the prevalence of ABLV infection in bats submitted for ABLV testing in NSW from 2008-2021 has remained fairly steady at approximately 5%.

The virus is present in the saliva of infected bats but not in the urine, blood or faeces. Infection occurs when virus in saliva enters the body through breaks in the skin such as bites, scratches, existing cuts or trauma. The virus then migrates to the brain via the nerves. The virus could also enter the body if infected saliva got into the mouth, nose or eyes. The incubation period (time from exposure to ABLV until the first signs of disease develop) can be as short as a few days or as long as several years.

It is quite common for domestic animals, particularly dogs and cats, to come in direct contact with bats. Bats with ABLV infection are often found on the ground or low down on trees and can be easily caught by inquisitive animals. If the bat was infected with ABLV it is possible that an animal could be exposed to the virus while interacting with the bat. It is unknown if an ABLV positive animal (besides bats) can transfer infection to humans or other animals, however this is known to occur in other lyssavirus species.

Lyssaviruses are usually spread to humans via bites or scratches. The available data from natural ABLV infection indicates that the incubation period in humans and bats is similar to that of rabies and is variable from days to years. Virus survival outside the host is short and it is inactivated by many disinfectants and soap.

There have been four cases of human infection due to ABLV and all were fatal. All had a history of being scratched or bitten by bats. None of the affected people had been vaccinated against rabies. There is no effective treatment for ABLV once signs of disease are seen. Prevention by preexposure vaccination or post exposure prophylaxis is the best method. Both these approaches involve the use of rabies vaccine.

If potential ABLV exposure with a suspect bat has occurred, immediately contact a general practitioner or the local Public Health Unit of NSW Health for advice (phone 1300 066 055). While waiting on medical assistance the following first aid advice is recommended:

* Wash any wounds thoroughly with soap and water for at least 5 minutes.

* Apply an antiseptic with virucidal action, such as povidine-iodine, iodine tincture, or aqueous iodine solution, after washing.

* If saliva enters the eyes, nose or mouth the area should be flushed thoroughly with water for five minutes.

* If available isolate the bat for testing to determine if it is infected but do not handle live bats and use gloves when handling dead bats.

Please see the NSW Health Fact sheet for further information: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/rabies-australian-bat-lyssavirus-infection.aspx

Australian Bat Lyssavirus Guidelines for Veterinarians PDF, 245.37 KB

Australian Bat Lyssa Virus Information for the Public
PDF, 140.38 KB

Procedure: Biosecurity- Australian Bat Lyssavirus PDF, 266.14 KB

NSW Health: Rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus infection fact sheet  

Wildlife Health Australia: Australia Bat Lyssavirus Fact sheet  

Wildlife Health Australia: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Information for Bat Handlers