Australian researchers have developed new diagnostic tests to distinguish the rare but deadly Australian bat lyssavirus from its overseas cousin, rabies.

CSIRO's Dr Allan Gould last night outlined the research to scientists at the International Congress of Virology in Sydney. Australian bat lyssavirus is carried by bats, and has claimed two human victims since its discovery in 1996.

"The new diagnostic tests are used in conjunction with immuno-histochemistry and serological tests to rapidly identify new strains of the virus in bats or humans, " says Dr Gould.

"Analysis of the genetic material of Australian bat lyssavirus shows that it is different from classical rabies, and other lyssaviruses. However rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus are closely enough related that the rabies vaccine does offer protection against infection with Australian bat lyssavirus," Dr Gould says.

Health authorities have warned all people who come into close contact with bats to be vaccinated against the disease. Any person who is bitten or scratched by a bat should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, then urgently seek medical attention, even if they have been vaccinated. If possible, they should keep the live bat for testing.

The virus is present throughout the range of the bats, including all States and Territories, with the exception of South Australia and Western Australia. However bats from these States have not been fully evaluated.

Dr Gould says there are two strains of Australian bat lyssavirus, one carried by insect eating-bats, and the other by fruit-eating bats.

"The virus has adapted itself to the two different types of bats, suggesting that it has been in Australia for some time, and is not a recent incursion," Dr Gould says.

The Australian bat lyssavirus is one of three new diseases discovered in Australia this decade that are carried by bats, and infectious to humans. The first was Hendra virus, which killed a prominent Brisbane horse trainer and thirteen of his horses in 1995. Another man, and three horses have died in two further incidents of the disease in Australia.

"The earlier outbreak of Hendra virus, with its link with bats, led us to look more closely at sick bats. In fact Australian bat lyssavirus was first discovered when a sick bat was sent to CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory to test for Hendra virus. The bat was negative for Hendra virus, but we did find this other new virus, Australian bat lyssavirus," Dr Gould says.

Another new Australian virus is the Menangle virus, which also affects humans, causing flu-like symptoms. It was identified in a single outbreak of disease in a NSW piggery in 1997.

Dr Gould made the presentation 'The emergence of a new Australian bat lyssavirus and its relationship to rabies' at 5.45 pm yesterday, as part of the International Congress of Virology.

More information:

CSIRO Animal Health, Dr Allan Gould, Dr Harvey Westbury or Emma Homes on 03 5227 5123.

International Congress of Virology Media Centre, Vikki Lord, on 02 9282 6173 or 02 9282 6172.

Media conference:

Dr Gould will give a media conference on Thursday, 11 August 1999 at 1 pm in the Media Centre, Harbourside Meeting Room No. 7, Harbourside level, Convention Centre North, Darling Harbour, Sydney.