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What is Lyssavirus?
Lyssaviruses are a group of viruses that includes rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus.
Rabies is a severe viral disease that affects the central nervous system. All warm-blooded animals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies. It is almost always fatal. Rabies occurs in many parts of the world, but does not occur in Australia.
Australian bat lyssavirus is a virus carried by bats. It is related to, but is slightly different from rabies. It rarely infects humans. Only two cases of human infection with Australian bat lyssavirus have been recorded, both in Queensland in the mid-1990s. Both died.
What are the symptoms?
Rabies and Australian Bat Lyssavirus cause similar symptoms. These include headache, fever, malaise, sensory changes around the site of the bite or scratch, excitability, an aversion to fresh air and water, weakness, delirium, convulsions, and coma. Death usually follows several days after the onset of symptoms.
How is it spread?
Both rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus are found in the saliva of infectious animals.
The virus is spread to other animals and people through biting and scratching.
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/fac ... esbatinfection.html |
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