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Bat rabies surveillance in Europe
J Schatz1, A R Fooks, L McElhinney
1Institute of Molecular Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Zoonoses and Public Health
|September 12, 2012
Summary
European bat rabies surveillance reveals European Bat Lyssaviruses (EBLV-1 and EBLV-2) are most common. Data from 1977-2010 highlights surveillance gaps and identifies specific bat species affected by these lyssaviruses.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Zoonotic Disease Epidemiology
- Wildlife Health Surveillance
Background:
- Rabies, an ancient zoonotic disease, was the first bat-associated infection identified in humans.
- Four lyssavirus species cause rabies in European bats: EBLV-1, EBLV-2, Bokeloh Bat Lyssavirus (BBLV), and West Caucasian Bat Virus (WCBV).
- Bat rabies is less frequent in Europe than in the New World, potentially due to surveillance intensity differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess bat rabies surveillance data across Europe.
- To analyze reported cases to the WHO Rabies Bulletin Europe (RBE) and published findings.
- To understand the distribution and host species of different lyssaviruses in European bats.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 959 bat rabies cases reported to the RBE between 1977 and 2010.
- Review of published passive surveillance data, including testing of 28 European bat species.
- Inclusion of active surveillance findings from oral swabs and detection of virus-neutralizing antibodies.
Main Results:
- EBLV-1 was the predominant lyssavirus, frequently isolated in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Poland, France, and Spain.
- EBLV-2 isolates primarily originated from the UK and Netherlands, also detected in Germany, Finland, and Switzerland.
- EBLV-1 was exclusively found in Serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus/isabellinus), EBLV-2 in Daubenton's and Pond bats, and BBLV in a Natterer's bat.
Conclusions:
- Bat rabies surveillance data in Europe indicates a significant presence of EBLV-1 and EBLV-2.
- Specific bat species act as primary reservoirs for different lyssavirus types.
- Further investigation into antibody prevalence and surveillance strategies is warranted.
