Australian Bat Lyssavirus

Question 1

Australian Bat lyssasvirus symptoms

Answer 1

the virus attacks the nervous system; paralysis, delirium, convuulsions/muscle spasms, death (if treatment is too late)

Question 2

Australian bat lyssiavirus incubation period

Answer 2

20 days to 27 months

Question 3

why does the ABLV pathogen pose such a threat to humans ?

Answer 3

• ABLV can be transferred to humans, it is a zoonosis
• if infected bat bites/scratches human, virus can be transmitted to the human
• in humans it can cause paralysis, convulsions, delirium and death
• Lyssavirus is found bat/flying of populations, they form a reservoir for the disease.

Question 4

Australian bat lyssavirus pathogen type

Answer 4

RNA virus

Question 5

australian bat lyssavirus mode of transmission

Answer 5

direct contact with an infected bat’s bodily fluids, through a bite or scratch

Direct contact from bat to human
Requires body fluids (e.g. saliva)
Does not require intermediate host
Can also infect pets

Question 6

australian bat lyssavirus life cycle speciifcaitons

Answer 6

entry via bite or other break in skin
replication in bat reservior and infected human host before travelling along nerves to CNS
exit niot likely from human hjost; pathogen circulations through marsupials such as the western grey kangaroo

Question 7

Method of Invasion

Answer 7

Based on rabies virus
Virus injected through wound
Moves to brain through neurons
Virus replicates (standard replication) in brain which causes inflammation + symptoms
Can migrate to salivary glands

Question 8

Impact on Host

Answer 8

Incubation period varies from 3 weeks to 2-3 years
Causes rabies-like illnesses
Early symptoms: headache, fever, fatigue
Later symptoms: paralysis, delirium, convulsions, death

Question 9

Evolutionary Adaptations

Answer 9

Does not require an intermediate host
Typical viral adaptations
Manipulation of host genome for replication etc.

Question 10

Factors Affecting Spread

Answer 10

Spread not a large concern (ie. Only 3 deaths since 1996)
Relies on bats
Increase in population, increase in infection
Increase in handling, increase in infection
Does not survive for more than a couple of hours outside of host

Question 11

Management Strategies - Treatment

Answer 11

Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin can be given immediately following a bat-wound
No available treatment for once symptoms have started

Question 12

Management Strategies - Prevention

Answer 12

Rabies vaccine + immunoglobulins given to people who handle bats regularly
Boosters required
Quarantine
In 2013, six people who were in contact with infected horse put in quarantine + given vaccine / immunoglobulin
Avoid handling bats
Proper wound care