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Australian bat lyssavirus infection: a second human case, with a long incubation period
Author(s) -
Hanna Jeffrey N,
Carney Ian K,
Deverill Joseph E,
Botha John A,
Smith Greg A,
Serafin Ina L,
Harrower Bruce J,
Tannenberg Anthony E G,
Fitzpatrick Peter F,
Searle Jeffrey W
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb124126.x
Subject(s) - lyssavirus , rabies , incubation period , medicine , virology , biology , incubation , rabies virus , rhabdoviridae , biochemistry
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.