In laboratory animals, rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin are protective against this new lyssavirus. Lyssavirus in Australia Early in 1997 the virus was found in another, as yet unidentified species of insectivorous bat. In October 1996, a woman in Queensland developed encephalitis, shown to be due to the virus, after being bitten and scratched by bats, and later died. A surveillance program for bats has since been implemented On-going serological testing and virus studies suggest that the lyssavirus is widely distributed in Australia. Rabies virus and other lyssaviruses are usually transmitted to humans via bites or scratches.
Infection is by direct access of the virus in saliva to exposed tissue and nerve endings.
This means that people would not be exposed to lyssavirus through tactile contact with bats where parenteral or mucous membrane exposure does not occur. There is no evidence that lyssaviruses in bats can establish and spread amongst terrestrial animals, although isolated cases in humans and other animals may occur on rare occasions. It should therefore be assumed that ALL Australian bats, both megachiropterans and microchiropterans have the potential to carry the new lyssavirus. Animal studies suggest that human disease caused by the bat lyssavirus may be prevented by rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin. Further research, funded by the Commonwealth, is being conducted into the distribution and transmissibility of the virus.