Lyssavirus - an awareness imperative - the role of animal management in keeping Australia's community and its pets safe
Chris Bunn
Abstract
A small outbreak of rabies occurred in Hobart in 1866 when a number of local dogs and one pig became infected and a child, who had been bitten by one of the dogs died. It was not until this human case occurred that investigations were made. It was found that for some time previously several dogs had become savage and had been destroyed. Fortunately the local municipal council carried out a general clean-up of stray dogs and this action no doubt was responsible for the successful eradication of the disease. More recently there have been two confirmed cases of human rabies in Australia, where people had been bitten or scratched by rabid animals overseas. The first, a 10-year-old boy, had travelled to India, Pakistan, Nepal, Singapore and Thailand in 1986, but did not develop symptoms until June 1987. Twenty-three days after the onset of the illness he died. The Australian Animal Health Laboratory diagnosed the second case in March 1991. It is believed the infection was acquired overseas. In May 1996, evidence of another 'new' virus, a lyssavirus (subsequently named Australian bat lyssavirus [ABL]), was found in a flying-fox in northern New South Wales.
About the author
Chris Bunn National Office of Animal and Plant Health, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Ph. 6272 5540 Fx. 6272 3399 Chris is a Senior Principle Veterinary Officer, Animal Quarantine Branch, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.
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