Australian bat lyssavirus infection: a second human case, with a long incubation period.
In December 1998, a 37-year-old Queensland woman died from a rabies-like illness, 27 months after being bitten by a flying fox (fruit bat). Molecular techniques enabled diagnosis of infection with Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL), the second human case to be recognised and the first to be acquired from a flying fox. It must be assumed that any bat in Australia could transmit ABL; anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should immediately wash the wounds thoroughly with soap and water and promptly seek medical advice.
Tropical Public Health Unit, Queensland Health, Cairns. md1@health.qld.gov.au
J N
JN
Hanna
I K
IK
Carney
G A
GA
Smith
A E
AE
Tannenberg
J E
JE
Deverill
J A
JA
Botha
I L
IL
Serafin
B J
BJ
Harrower
P F
PF
Fitzpatrick
J W
JW
Searle
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000821:virology*; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018114:Lyssavirus; D018353:Rhabdoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission