Australian bat lyssavirus and rabies
Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) and rabies virus belong to a group of viruses called lyssaviruses.
These viruses are transmitted through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. They cause an illness known as rabies, which affects the central nervous system resulting in paralysis, delirium and convulsions.
The incubation period is very variable but usually is 3 to 8 weeks. However, it can be a few days to several years. All cases, following the start of symptoms, lead to death from cardiac or respiratory failure within 7 to 10 days.
Australia remains free of terrestrial rabies.
Human cases of rabies have been reported nationally, one in 1987 and another in 1990, with both cases having had risk exposures that happened overseas.
There have been 4 ABLV human cases documented in Australia, with the first occurring in 1996 and the most recent in 2025. All 4 cases involved individuals who had been bitten or scratched by bats in Australia and all have died.
How it spreads
The virus that causes ABLV and rabies is spread to humans by an infected animal through their:
- bite
- scratch
- saliva that enters a person's eyes, nose, mouth or broken skin.
Only mammals can be infected.
In Australia, ABLV has been found in flying foxes/fruit bats and insect-eating micro bats.
ABLV is not spread through:
- contact with bat faeces, urine or blood
- patting a bat.
In countries where rabies is endemic, rabies is spread mostly by dogs. Other animals that can spread rabies include monkeys, foxes, cats, raccoons, skunks, jackals and mongoose.
Who is at risk
In Australia, people who handle bats as part of their job or volunteering are most at risk of ABLV.
This includes:
- vets
- wildlife officers and bat handlers
- members of volunteer wildlife care groups.
People who come into contact with wild or domestic animals in countries where rabies is present are also at risk.
Treatment
If you're scratched or bitten by an animal that may have rabies, you should:
- immediately wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes
- for bat saliva in the eyes, mouth or nose, flush the area with lots of water for several minutes
- apply an antiseptic solution after washing if available (e.g. povidone-iodine)
- get medical attention immediately for rabies treatment, even if you're already vaccinated
- get a tetanus injection if necessary.
Prevention
To help prevent ABLV and rabies, you should avoid:
- handling bats
- rescuing sick or injured bats - find out how to report injured wildlife
- contact with wild or domestic animals when travelling to countries where rabies is present.
If you regularly handle bats or travel to countries where rabies is present, you can get a rabies vaccine.
Information for health professionals
To find out more, go to the NT Health website.
Contact
For more information, contact the Centre for Disease Control on the NT Health website.