Australian Bat Lyssavirus

Bat Lyssavirus http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=faq&id=BatLyssavirus&stylesheet=sectorInformationSheet	“G’day mate. Lemme have a bite.” – Australian bat infected with Australian Bat Lyssavirus. Queensland health. Australian Bat Lyssavirus. http://www.health.qld.gov.au/healthyislandresorts/topic/abl.htm

Description:

Australian Bat Lyssavirus is a virus that was first identified in 1996 in bats and flying foxes in Australia, and it can be transmitted to humans. Two people have died from infections with Australian Bat Lyssavirus since the virus’ discovery. Australian Bat Lyssavirus is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family of viruses, and is very similar to Rabies, another member of the Rhabdoviridae family. It is an RNA, single-stranded helical virus with a bullet shaped morphology.

Power:

This is a very deadly disease: 2 deaths out of 2 infections have occurred. Rabies-like neurological symptoms ensue for a 20 day period, which are brought to an end by the patient’s death.

Offenses:

Attacks: ABL attacks the host’s central nervous system much like Rabies. The initial CNS symptoms are confusion and agitation, and the later CNS symptoms include hallucinations and convulsions.

Outcome: The illness stage of infection usually begins with the patient presenting influenza-like symptoms (fever, malaise, headache, anorexia) as well as nausea and vomiting. The symptoms progress into encephalitis (characterized by delirium, hallucinations, convulsions) and eventual brain stem dysfunction which is often characterized by difficulty swallowing and “foaming at the mouth.” This is an extremely fatal disease if pre or post exposure prophylaxis is not administered to exposed individuals.

Speed: The exact incubation period of ABL in humans is unknown because there have only been two cases. In the first case, the incubation period was approximately 4 to 5 weeks, and the other 6 months. Death resulted in both cases 20 days after the onset of illness.

Defenses:

Vaccines: Pre-exposure vaccines are recommended for individuals who handle bats. This vaccine is the same inactivated Rabies virus, (given in a series of three injections at days 0, 7 and 21), that is given for typical Rabies prevention.

Behavioral: Avoiding contact with infectious bats is important. Individuals who handle bats are encouraged to avoid getting bitten and scratched. If these individuals happen to get bitten they are encouraged to wash the wound with soap and water and to contact public health authorities immediately.

Treatment: Post-exposure prophylaxis is available for individuals who are at risk of having had contact with ABL. Post-exposure treatment can be both the inactivated Rabies virus (5 injections given at days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28) in addition to Rabies immune globulin which is administered once.

Game action:

Bonus: Move up three places. You are in a hurry to get to the local public health office to receive post-exposure prophylaxis because you just got bitten by a scrappy little bat while you were at a petting zoo in Australia. Run, run!!! (But don’t forget to wash the wound with soap and water first!)