Bat rabies in Europe: a review

Bats are legally protected in most European countries under some international treaties and national nature conservation legislations that prohibit deliberate capture and killing of bats except under permit from the competent authorities. However, bat rabies research is necessary to gain insight into whether bat rabies is a real problem for public health and whether bat conservation efforts are in conflict with public health interests. It is also important to know the incidence of rabies in different bat species. Thus far, passive surveillance of bat rabies seems to be a sufficient mean of obtaining information about the occurrence of bat rabies that is not in conflict with bat conservation. Knowledge about the occurrence of bat rabies, the prevalence of rabies in particular species of bats, and the possible risk for public and animal health is also important for improving public awareness for bat conservation in conjunction with public health. There should, therefore, be good cooperation between bat conservationists and rabies research bodies.