‘Bat Rabies’, European Bat Lyssavirus Type 2 Confirmed in Daubenton’s Bat

Tests have confirmed the presence of European Bat Lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2), a strain of bat rabies in a Daubenton’s bat that was submitted to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) in Weybridge, Surrey. The bat was euthanased on May 2, after it started behaving abnormally on April 27 2008. It was then sent for routine testing. The risk to human health is negligible as treatment is highly effective.

The bat had been found injured in Bushy Park, Surrey, by a member of the public in August 2007 and given into the care of a number of experienced bat handlers.

European Bat Lyssavirus (EBLV) is a strain of the rabies virus. The strain identified in this case is EBLV-2. EBLV has previously been isolated from six UK bats since 1996, in Sussex, Lancashire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, and Shropshire. The last case occurred in August 2007. It is known that there is a low prevalence of EBLV-2 in Daubenton’s bats in England. This does not affect the UK’s rabies-free animal health status under international guidelines.

The Health Protection Agency and Animal Health are carrying out a full investigation to trace possible human and animal contacts. Anyone who believes that they or their pets may have had direct contact with this specific bat, should contact Animal Health Office at Chelmsford on 01245 358383 for animal contacts and the Health Protection Agency on 020 8200 6868 for human contacts.

Advice from the Health Protection Agency is that if anyone is bitten by a bat the wound should be cleaned with soap and water and they should seek medical advice immediately. The risk of humans being infected by EBVL-2 is negligible if they receive appropriate and timely medical treatment after exposure.

Bats are a protected species and must not be killed or their roost damaged. EBLVs may only be transmitted by the bite of an infected bat. There is therefore no risk to humans if bats are not approached or handled by them.

Anyone finding a sick or ailing bat should not approach or handle it but seek advice from the Bat Conservation Trust Helpline on 0845 1300 228.

Source: DEFRA

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