First-ever lyssavirus found in Brandt’s bat

A lyssavirus was detected for the first time in the body of a dead Brandt’s bat in Kotalahti of Leppävirta in the summer of 2017.

The discovery is rare, because lyssavirus was not been found in Brandt’s bats before in any country, said a press release issued by the Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira).

“This means the virus has not been previously identified. It is not of the same type as the bat lyssaviruses found in Daubenton’s bats in Inkoo and the Turku region,” said Special Researcher Tiina Nokireki from the Virology Research Unit of Evira.

According to its specific place of discovery, the virus was named the Kotalahti bat lyssavirus (KBLV). It is closely related to the Khujand virus, the Aravan virus, the Bokeloh bat lyssavirus and the EBLV-2 viruses.

It was not possible to isolate the virus from the bat in question, because it was already in a state of decomposition when found. So far, only the genetic materials of the virus are available. This lyssavirus could only be officially approved as a new species, if more information about it could be gained.

Lyssavirus infection is rare in bats, and it can only be transmitted to humans under exceptional circumstances.

“Many lyssaviruses can still cause a rabies-like disease in humans. People who do not come into contact with bats due to their work or hobbies have an extremely low risk of being infected by lyssavirus from a bat,” said Nokireki.

Previously, the EBLV-2 type virus was found in Daubenton’s bats in the Turku region in 2009 and in Inkoo in 2016.

Evira has advised people never to touch a bat with bare hands. “People who have come into contact with a bat should always see a doctor, unless it is certain that handling the bat did not result in a bite, scratch or mucous membrane exposure,” it added.

The Evira press release also said that if it is suspected that the bat may have rabies, it is a must to contact the local municipal veterinarian.

Dead bats, in particular, those from the Leppävirta area must be sent to Evira’s Helsinki office for rabies testing.

Bats are protected under the Nature Conservation Act.

Vaccinating hunting dogs and service dogs of various authorities against rabies is mandatory. However, Evira recommends vaccinating all dogs and cats against rabies regularly.