Australian bat Lyssavirus, first reported in mid-1996 from a Black Flying Fox Pteropus alecto has now been isolated from two other species of flying fox, a microbat and a human, who died of a rabies-like illness. Infected animals have been identified from widely separated localities in four Australian states. It is not known definitely from which species of animal the human victim contracted the disease, which is (are) responsible for spreading it. nor whether it is an old disease or one that has recently entered Australia.

The infectivity of Australian bat Lyssavirus to humans and other mammals is not known, but its close genomic and antigenic relationship to classical rabies virus suggest that it is likely to be capable of causing fatal illness in most mammalian species. Its similarity to classical rabies virus also indicates that humans and other mammals will be protected by existing rabies vaccines. The discovery of Lyssavirus in Australian bats has highlighted the need for professional and community groups involved with wild animals to work together to decrease the risks to human health and to lessen the impact on bats and other native species. Educating the public about the risks of contact with bats is the single most important safeguard in protecting humans from a bat-borne disease. Concurrently, people need to be informed of the important role of bats in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem integrity to minimize public impact on bats.

Afshar, A., 1979. A review of non-bite transmission of rabies virus infection. Brit. Vet. J. 135: 142-48.
,
A review of non-bite transmission of rabies virus infection
,
Brit. Vet. J.
, vol.
135
(pg.
142
-
48
)
Aghomo, H. O., Ako-Nai, A. K., 0duye, O. O., Tomori, O. and Rupprecht, C. E., 1990. Detection of rabies virus antibodies in fruit bats (Eidalon helvum) from Nigeria. J. Wildl. Diseases 26(2): 258.
,
Detection of rabies virus antibodies in fruit bats (Eidalon helvum) from Nigeria
,
J. Wildl. Diseases
, vol.
26
pg.
258
Allworth, A., Murray, K., Morgan, J., 1996. A human case of encephalitis due to a lyssavirus recently identified in fruit bats. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 20(24): 504.
,
A human case of encephalitis due to a lyssavirus recently identified in fruit bats
,
Communicable Diseases Intelligence
, vol.
20
pg.
504
Allworth, T., O’Sullivan, J., Selvey, L. and Sheridan, J., 1995. Equine morbillivirus in Queensland. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 19(22): 575.
,
Equine morbillivirus in Queensland
,
Communicable Diseases Intelligence
, vol.
19
pg.
575
Altman, J. C., 1987. Hunter gatherers today: an Aboriginal economy in north Australia. Australian Institute for Aboriginal Studies: Canberra.
,
Hunter gatherers today: an Aboriginal economy in north Australia
Anonymous, 1995a. Editorial Note. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt 44(5): 87-93.
Anonymous, 1995b, Editorial Note. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt 44(14): 271-72.
Anonymous, 1996. Editorial Note. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt 45(17): 356.
Baer, G. M. and Smith, J. S., 1991. Rabies in non-haematophagous bats. Pp. 341-66 in The natural history of rabies ed by G. M. Baer. CRC Press: Boca Raton.
,
The natural history of rabies
(pg.
341
-
66
)
Baker, R., 1988. Traditional Aboriginal land use in the Borrolvoia Region. Pp. 126-44 in Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Wisdom for Sustainable Development ed by N. M. Williams and G. Baines. CRES, Australian National University: Canberra.
,
Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Wisdom for Sustainable Development
(pg.
126
-
44
)
Bek, M. D., Smith, W. T., Levy, M. H., Sullivan, E. and Robin, G. L., 1992. Rabies case in New South Wales, 1990: public health aspects. Med. J. Aust. 156: 596-606.
,
Rabies case in New South Wales, 1990: public health aspects
,
Med. J. Aust.
, vol.
156
(pg.
596
-
606
)
Berndt, R. M. and Berndt, C. H., 1989. The speaking land. Myth and story in Aboriginal Australia. Penguin Books: Ringwood.
,
The speaking land. Myth and story in Aboriginal Australia
Biale, J. B. and Young, R. E., 1981. Respiration and ripening in fruits - retrospect and prospect. Pp. 1-39 in Recent advances in the biochemistry of fruit oral vegetables ed by J. Friend and M. J. C. Rhodes. Academic Press: London.
,
Recent advances in the biochemistry of fruit oral vegetables
(pg.
1
-
39
)
Biodiversity Unit, 1995. Native Vegetation clearance, habitat s and biodiversity decline: an overview of recent native vegetation clearance in Australia and its implications for biodiversity. Biodiversity Unit, Department of Environment, Sport and Tourism: Canberra.
Brass, D. A., 1994. Rabies in Bats. Natural History and Public Health Implications. Livia Press: Ridgefield, Connecticut.
,
Rabies in Bats. Natural History and Public Health Implications
Constantine, D. G., 1988. Health precautions for bat researchers. Pp. 491-528 in Ecological and behavioural methods for the study of bats ed by T. H. Kunz. Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington.
,
Ecological and behavioural methods for the study of bats
(pg.
491
-
528
)
Corbett, L., 1995. The dingo in Australia and Asia. Unh’er5ity of New South Wales Press: Sydney.
,
The dingo in Australia and Asia
Dunn, K., et al., 1988. Imported human rabies - Australia, 1987. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt 37(22): 351-53.
,
Imported human rabies - Australia, 1987
,
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt
, vol.
37
(pg.
351
-
53
)
Dwyer, P. D., 1995. Common Bentwing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii. Pp. 494-95 in The Mammals of Australia ed by R. Strahan. Reed Books: Chatswood.
,
The Mammals of Australia
(pg.
494
-
95
)
Eby, P., 1991. “Finger-winged night workers”: managing forests to conserve the role of Grey-headed Flying Foxes as pollinators and seed dispersers. Pp. 91-100 in Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna ed by D. Lunney, Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Mosman.
,
Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna
(pg.
91
-
100
)
Falade, E., et al., 1996. Human Rabies - California, 1995. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt 45(17): 35-55.
,
Human Rabies - California, 1995
,
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt
, vol.
45
(pg.
35
-
55
)
Faoagali, J. L., De Buse, P., Stratton, G. M., and Samaratunga, H., 1988. A case of rabies, Med. J. Aust. 149: 702-07.
,
A case of rabies
,
Med. J. Aust.
, vol.
149
(pg.
702
-
07
)
Fishbein, D. B. and Bernard, K. W., 1995. Rabies Virus, Pp. 1527-543 in Principles and Practice of Infectious Disease 4th Edition ed by G. L. Mandell, J. E. Bennett and R. Dolin. Church Livingston: New York.
,
Principles and Practice of Infectious Disease
(pg.
1527
-
543
)
Flannery, T. F.,1990. The Mammals of New Guinea. Robert Brown and Associates: Caring.
,
The Mammals of New Guinea
Folorunso, T. A. and Okpetu, F., 1975. Fruit bat recipes. Nigerian Flak 40: 46-47.
,
Fruit bat recipes
,
Nigerian Flak
, vol.
40
(pg.
46
-
47
)
Fraser, G. F., Hooper, P. T., Lunt, R. A., Could, A. R., Gleeson, L. J., Hyatt, A. D., Russell, G. M. and Attenbelt, J., 1996a. Encephalitis Caused by a Lyssavirus in Fruit Bats in Australia. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2(4): 327-31.
,
Encephalitis Caused by a Lyssavirus in Fruit Bats in Australia
,
Emerging Infectious Diseases
, vol.
2
(pg.
327
-
31
)
Frater, G., Gleeson, L. and Hooper, P., 1996b. Lyssavirus encephalitis in the black flying fox (Pteropus alecto). Anim. Health Sure. Quart. 1(2): 4.
,
Lyssavirus encephalitis in the black flying fox (Pteropus alecto)
,
Anim. Health Sure. Quart.
, vol.
1
pg.
4
Geering, W. A., Forman, A. J. and Nunn, M. J., 1995. Exotic Diseases of Animals - a field guide for Australian veterinarians. Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.
,
Exotic Diseases of Animals - a field guide for Australian veterinarians
Gleeson, L. J., 1997. Australian bat lyssavirus - a newly emerged zoonosis? Aust. Vet. J. 75(3): 188.
,
Australian bat lyssavirus - a newly emerged zoonosis?
,
Aust. Vet. J.
, vol.
75
pg.
188
Gonzales, R., et al., 1991. Human rabies - Texas, Arkansas and Georgia, 1991. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt 40(44): 765-67.
,
Human rabies - Texas, Arkansas and Georgia, 1991
,
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt
, vol.
40
(pg.
765
-
67
)
Hand, S., 1984. Vampirism. Aust. Natur. Hist. 21: 276-82.
,
Vampirism
,
Aust. Natur. Hist.
, vol.
21
(pg.
276
-
82
)
Hutson, A. M., 1996. Important advice about bats and rabies. Bat News 42: 3.
,
Important advice about bats and rabies
,
Bat News
, vol.
42
pg.
3
Kitchener, D., Boeadi, Charlton L. and Maharadatunkamsi, 1990. Wild Mammals of Lambok islands. Rec. West. Aust. Mus, Suppl. No. 33: 122.
,
Wild Mammals of Lambok islands
,
Rec. West. Aust. Mus, Suppl. No.
, vol.
33
pg.
122
Krebs, J. W., Wilson, M. L. and Childs, J. K., 1995. Rabies-epidemiology, prevention, and future research. J. Mammal. 76: 681-94.
,
Rabies-epidemiology, prevention, and future research
,
J. Mammal.
, vol.
76
(pg.
681
-
94
)
Kunz, T. H., Rudran, R. and Gurri-Glass, G., 1996. Human Health Concerns. Pp. 255-64 in Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: staandard methods for mammals ed by D. E. Wilson, F. R. Cole, J. D. Nichols, R. Rudran and M. S. Faster. Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, D.C.
,
Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: staandard methods for mammals
(pg.
255
-
64
)
Kureishi, A., Ku, L. Z., Wu, H. and Silver, H. G., 1992. Rabies in China: recommendations for control. Ball. WHO 70(4): 443-54.
,
Rabies in China: recommendations for control
,
Ball. WHO
, vol.
70
(pg.
443
-
54
)
Lopez, R. A., Miranda, P. P., Tejada, V. E., et al., 1992. Outbreak of human rabies in the Peruvian jungle. Lancet (North American edition) 339: 408-11.
,
Outbreak of human rabies in the Peruvian jungle
,
Lancet (North American edition)
, vol.
339
(pg.
408
-
11
)
Lyssavirus Expert Group, 1996. Prevention of Human Lyssavirus infection. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 20(24): 505-07.
McKnight, D., 1975. Men, women and other animals: Taboo and purification among the Wik-mungkan. Pp. 77-97 in The interpretation of symbolise ed by R. Willie. Malaby Press: London.
,
The interpretation of symbolise
(pg.
77
-
97
)
Mickleburgh, S. P., Racey, P. A. and Hutson, A. M. (eds), 1992. Old World fruit buts. An action plan for their conservation. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources: Gland.
,
An action plan for their conservation
Morimoto, K., Patel, M., Corisdeo, S., Llooper, D. C., Fu, Z. F., Rupprecht, C. E., Koprowski, H. and Dietzschold, B., 1996. Characterization of a unique variant of bat rubies virus responsible for newly emerging human cases in North America. Proc. Nat. Acid. Sci USA 93: 5653-658.
,
Characterization of a unique variant of bat rubies virus responsible for newly emerging human cases in North America
,
Proc. Nat. Acid. Sci USA
, vol.
93
(pg.
5653
-
658
)
Munoz, J. L., et al., 1996. Human Rabies - Connecticut, 1995. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt 45(14): 207-09.
,
Human Rabies - Connecticut, 1995
,
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Rpt
, vol.
45
(pg.
207
-
09
)
Nelson, J. E., 1965. Movements of Australian flying foxes (Pteropodidae: Megachiroptera). Aust. J. Zool. 13: 53-73.
,
Movements of Australian flying foxes (Pteropodidae: Megachiroptera)
,
Aust. J. Zool.
, vol.
13
(pg.
53
-
73
)
Nicholls, N. and Kariko, A., 1993. East Australian rainfall events: interannual variations, trends and relationships with the SouthernOscillation. J. Climate 6: 1141-152.
,
East Australian rainfall events: interannual variations, trends and relationships with the SouthernOscillation
,
J. Climate
, vol.
6
(pg.
1141
-
152
)
Nicholls, N. and Lavery, B., 1992. Australian rainfall trends during the twentieth century. Internat. J. Climatol. 12, 153-63.
,
Australian rainfall trends during the twentieth century
,
Internat. J. Climatol.
, vol.
12
(pg.
153
-
63
)
Ratcliffe, F. N., 1931. The flying fox (Pteropus) in Australia. Council for Scientific and Industrial Res. Bull. No. 53: 1-81.
,
The flying fox (Pteropus) in Australia
,
Council for Scientific and Industrial Res. Bull. No. 53
(pg.
1
-
81
)
Revilia, L. R., Phssara, F., Ormaecho, M., ’ olarde, J ., Rodrigues, A., Rupprecht, C., Chuy, M. and Sniadack, D,, 1995. Rabies survivors - Peruu http://www.healthnet.org/programmes/promed_1995-hma/0157.html. http://www.healthnet.org/programmes/promed_1995-hma/0157.html
Richards, G. C., 1995. Yellow-bellied Sheathtail bat, Saccolaimus flaviventris. Pp. 467-68 in The Mammals of Australia ed by R. Strahan. Reed Books: Chaiswood.
,
The Mammals of Australia
(pg.
467
-
68
)
Rupprecht, C. E., Smith, J. S., Fekadu, M. and Childs, J. E., 1995, The ascension of wildlife rabies: A cause of public health concern or intervention? Emerging Infectious Diseases 1(4): 107-14.
,
The ascension of wildlife rabies: A cause of public health concern or intervention?
,
Emerging Infectious Diseases
, vol.
1
(pg.
107
-
14
)
Sasaki, D. M., Middleton, C. R., Sara, T. R., Christensen, C. C. and Kobayashi, G. Y., 1992, Rabid bat diagnosed in Hawaii, Hawaii Med. J. 51(7): 181.
,
Rabid bat diagnosed in Hawaii
,
Hawaii Med. J.
, vol.
51
pg.
181
Setz, E. Z. F. and Sazima, I., 1987. Bats eaten by Nambiquara Indians in Western Brazil. Biotropica 19: 190.
,
Bats eaten by Nambiquara Indians in Western Brazil
,
Biotropica
, vol.
19
pg.
190
Sinclair, E. A., Webb, N. J., Marchant, A. D. and Tidemann, C. R., 1996. Genetic variation in the Little Red Flying Fox, Pteropus scapulatus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae): implications for management. Biol. Conserv. 76: 45-50.
,
Genetic variation in the Little Red Flying Fox, Pteropus scapulatus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae): implications for management
,
Biol. Conserv.
, vol.
76
(pg.
45
-
50
)
Smith, J. S. and Seidel, H. D., 1993. Rabies: a new look at an old disease. Prog. Med. Viral. Basel, Karger 40: 82-106.
,
Rabies: a new look at an old disease
,
Prog. Med. Viral. Basel, Karger
, vol.
40
(pg.
82
-
106
)
Smith, J. S., Orciarii, L. A., Pager, P. A., Seidel, H. D. and Warner, C. K., 1992. Epidemiologic and historical relationships among 87 rabies virus isolates as determined by limited sequence analysis. J. Infectious Diseases 166: 296-307.
,
Epidemiologic and historical relationships among 87 rabies virus isolates as determined by limited sequence analysis
,
J. Infectious Diseases
, vol.
166
(pg.
296
-
307
)
Strahan, R. (ed), 1995. The Mammals of Australia, Reed Books: Chatswood.
,
The Mammals of Australia
Tidemann, C. R. and Flavel, S. C., 1987. Factors affecting choice of diurnal roost site by tree-hole bats (Microchiroptera) in southeastern Australia. Aust. Wildl. Res. 14: 459-73.
,
Factors affecting choice of diurnal roost site by tree-hole bats (Microchiroptera) in southeastern Australia
,
Aust. Wildl. Res.
, vol.
14
(pg.
459
-
73
)
Tidemann, C. R. and Loughland, R. A., 1993. A harp trap for large megachiropterans. Wildl. Res. 20: 607-11.
,
A harp trap for large megachiropterans
,
Wildl. Res.
, vol.
20
(pg.
607
-
11
)
Tidemann, C. R. and Nelson, J. E., 1987. Flying foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) and bananas: some interactions. Aust. Mammal. 10. 133-35.
,
Flying foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) and bananas: some interactions
,
Aust. Mammal.
, vol.
10
(pg.
133
-
35
)
Tidemann, C. R. and Pardon, M. J., 1997. Pests, pestilence, pollen and pot-roasts; the need for community-based management of flying faxes in Australia. Aust. Biol. 10(1): 79-85.
,
Pests, pestilence, pollen and pot-roasts; the need for community-based management of flying faxes in Australia
,
Aust. Biol.
, vol.
10
(pg.
79
-
85
)
Vardon, M. J., Missi, C., Cleary, M. and Webb, C. J. W., in press. Aboriginal use and conservation of wildlife in northern Australia: a cultural necessity, In Conservation Outside Nature Reserves ed by P. Hale and D. Lamb. University of Queensland Press: Brisbane.
Vardon, M. J. and Tidemann, C. R., 1995. Harvesting of Flying-foxes (Pteropaas spp.) in Australia: Could it Promote the Conservation of endangered Pacific island species? Pp. 82-85 in Conservation Through Sustainable Use of Wildlife ed by G. C. Grigg, P. T. Hale and D. Lunney. Centre for Conservation Biology, University of Queensland: Brisbane.
,
Conservation Through Sustainable Use of Wildlife
(pg.
82
-
85
)
Warner, W. L., 1937. A black civilization. A social study of an. Australian tribe. Harper and Brothers: New York.
,
A black civilization. A social study of an. Australian tribe
Webb, N. J. and Tidemann, C. R., 1995. Hybridization between black (Pteropus alecto) and grey-headed (P. potiocephatuu) flying-foxes (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae). Aust. Mammal. 18: 19-26.
,
Hybridization between black (Pteropus alecto) and grey-headed (P. potiocephatuu) flying-foxes (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae)
,
Aust. Mammal.
, vol.
18
(pg.
19
-
26
)
Webb, N. J. and Tidemann, C. R., 1996. Mobility of Australian flyingfoxes, Pteropus spp, (Megachiroptera): evidence from genetic variation. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond, Series B 263: 497-502.
,
Mobility of Australian flyingfoxes, Pteropus spp, (Megachiroptera): evidence from genetic variation
,
Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond, Series B
, vol.
263
(pg.
497
-
502
)
Winkler, W. G., 1975. Fox rabies. Pp. 3-22 in The Natural History of Rabies First Edition ed by G. M. Baer. Academic Press: New York.
,
The Natural History of Rabies
(pg.
3
-
22
)
Young, P., 1996. Possible reservoir host of equine morbilliviris identified. Communicable Diseases Intelligence, 27 May, 1996.
This content is only available as a PDF.