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
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Poster | Be bat aware PDF (703.0 KB) | Northern Territory Government |
| 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 |
| Webpage | Timor-Leste travel advice and safety | Smartraveller |
Contact
Contact the Public Health Unit’s Centre for Disease Control.
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