ABLV information for veterinarians

Alert

Under Queensland legislation, if you suspect an animal is clinically ill with ABLV, or if an animal has been bitten or scratched by a bat or other animal known to be infected with ABLV, you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or contact the Emergency Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

You don't need to notify us about animal contact with a bat unless the bat is known to have ABLV.

As a veterinarian in Queensland, you may be required to manage incidents involving contact between animals (often dogs or cats) and bats. This would include minimising the potential for domestic animals to acquire and transmit Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) infection. Managing the ABLV-risk may include using the rabies vaccine.

The following information is provided to assist veterinarians in managing these incidents:

  • the complete document, ABLV—Information for veterinarians
  • 5 short, how-to guides for easy access to answers addressing common queries.

The complete document, ABLV—Information for veterinarians, includes information on:

  • Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV)
  • pre-exposure prevention of disease due to ABLV
  • what to do if a person is bitten or scratched
  • post-contact management of options of potential exposure to ABLV in animals, including
    • how to assess if transmission of ABLV may have occurred
    • 3 options for managing the risk of infection in a clinically well animal (euthanasia, monitor and report, and/or post-exposure vaccination).

The set of 5 short, how-to guides for common actions to assess and minimise ABLV risk:

Apply to use the rabies vaccine for ABLV risk management

Complete the application form to use Nobivac rabies vaccine (PDF, 103KB) for post-exposure prophylaxis following potential exposure to ABLV.

Submit your application by email to ChiefVetOffice@daf.qld.gov.au or fax to (07) 3087 8328.

Also consider...

  • Last reviewed: 15 Oct 2020
  • Last updated: 15 Oct 2020