Australian bat lyssavirus and rabies

Both rabies (which is present in many countries throughout the world but not present in Australia) and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) are spread from infected animals to people through bites or scratches, or by being exposed to infected animals’ saliva through the eyes, nose, mouth or broken skin.

Australian bat lyssavirus spreads from bats to humans, causing serious illness very similar to rabies. It is assumed that any bat in Australia could potentially carry ABLV.

Notifiable disease

ABLV and rabies are notifiable diseases.

Vaccine

Read about immunisations on the Northern Territory Government website.

Information for health professionals

TypeResourceAuthor
Document Australian bat lyssavirus and rabies fact sheet PDF (144.4 KB) NT Health
Document Lyssavirus post-exposure prophylaxis form PDF (826.7 KB) NT Health
Document Rabies and other lyssavirus – CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Webpage Australian immunisation handbook Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Tropical Health Orientation Manual for health practitioners in Northern Australia Australian bat lyssavirus and rabies Centre for Remote Health

Information for the public

TypeResourceAuthor
Document Australian bat lyssavirus information for veterinarians PDF (3.1 MB) Northern Territory Government
Webpage Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) and rabies Northern Territory Government
Webpage Flying fox - Information for veterinarians and wild life carers Northern Territory Government
Webpage Report injured wildlife Northern Territory Government
Webpage Lyssavirus (ABLV) Health direct
WebpageTimor-Leste travel advice and safetySmartraveller

Contact

Contact the Public Health Unit’s Centre for Disease Control.


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