Jo-Ann Beutel Introduction: Hello and good morning/afternoon my name is Jo-Ann Beutel and Im here today to tell you

about the Australian Bat Lyssavirus, a biosecurity plan for lyssavirus, and prevention of lyssavirus. Slide 1: causes of lyssavirus Lyssavirus was discovered in 1996 and belongs to the group Rhaboviribae and is basically Australias rabies. Its microbial so it cant be seen by the naked eye and is viral, for the virus to survive it needs a host. Lyssavirus is zoonic which means it can be transferred from animals to humans and is carried by bats. Lyssavirus is present in all populations of bats throughout Australia. Its contracted by a scratch or bite. Slide 2: Effects of lyssavirus in animals Until recently lyssavirus was only found in bats but Biosecurity Queensland has quarantined a property in the Southern Downs area after a horse tested positive to Australian bat lyssavirus. Australia is the only country where this form of lyssavirus has been reported and it is considered to be present in all populations of Australian bats; however this is the first known case of ABLV infection in an Australian horse. The effects of lyssavirus are Animal gets violent, Spasms/convolutions, Saliva secretions, muscle degeneration and because there are now known treatments for lyssavirus the infected host will die. Slide 3: effects of lyssavirus in humans Lyssavirus is zoonotic which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Unfortunately, the three Australians who are known to have contracted the virus have all died from this disease. As there is currently no specific treatment for lyssavirus, for either people or horses, it is important to follow a number of straightforward biosecurity measures. The effects of lyssavirus in humans are Muscle weakness, Coma, Loss of consciousness, Lethargic, Weakness, violent spasms/convolutions. Slide 4: Treatment and prevention available Lyssavirus can be prevented by a rabies vaccination but once symptom show the host will die for there is no known treatment. Slide 5: stages of lyssavirus Lyssavirus in contracted by a scratch or bite, once infected the virus has an incubation period of 10 to 3 months this is a crucial to get the rabies vaccination because once symptoms show nothing can be done to stop the virus. The lyssavirus travels from the bite to the nervous system to the brain were the symptoms start to show then it travels to the saliva glands to be transferred to the next potential host. The last stage of lyssavirus is death Slide 6: A biosecurity plan to use on a rural property

Jo-Ann Beutel Horse owners are advised to take all reasonable steps to keep their animals away from bats, and always consider infection with ABLV or Hendra virus as a possible cause of illness in a horse. If you have a sick horse, isolate it from other horses, people and animals until you have obtained a veterinary opinion. Do not move the sick horse off the property. If it is not at home, do not return home but isolate it on the property it is located. Notify suspected cases by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline. There is a legal obligation to notify authorities of suspected cases. Slide 6: contacts Slide 7: Links to useful websites