Giuseppe
Emeritus
United Kindgom, HPA - Health Protection Agency warns fly fishermen of rabies risk from Daubenton?s bats (6/18/10)
[Source: United Kingdom, Health Protection Agency, <cite cite="http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1274091822573?p=1259152466069">HPA - Health Protection Agency warns fly fishermen of rabies risk from Daubenton?s bats</cite>.]
Health Protection Agency warns fly fishermen of rabies risk from Daubenton?s bats
18 June 2010
As the fly fishing season begins, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is warning anglers not to handle any bats that they might accidentally hook while fly fishing, as there is a small risk of catching a rabies-like virus from these animals.
A small proportion of Daubenton's bats, which is the species most frequently seen skimming the surface of water in search of insects, carry European Bat Lyssavirus 2 (EBLV2), which can cause rabies in those bitten, scratched, or exposed to infected saliva.
Dr Hilary Kirkbride, consultant epidemiologist at the HPA, said:
"Although it is very rare for bats to pass this virus on to humans, fly fishermen should never handle these animals directly.
"If a bat is accidentally hooked while fishing, the angler should try to land the bat on the riverbank, where it may free itself from the line. If handling the bat cannot be avoided, then appropriate thick protective gloves should be worn at all times.
"Anyone who is bitten, scratched or exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of an infected bat should clean the wound as soon as possible with soap and water and seek medical advice immediately. A vaccine is available, which, if taken soon after contact with an infected animal, is highly effective in preventing rabies and will pose no long-term risk to health."
Ends
Notes for editors
For further information on this press release please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on:
Eleanor Bunch 020 8327 7751
Louise Brown 020 8327 7080
Emma Gilgunn-Jones 020 8327 6647
Kate Swan 020 8327 7097
Alexandra Baker 020 8327 7098
Georgina Fletcher 020 8327 6690
Last reviewed: 18 June 2010
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[Source: United Kingdom, Health Protection Agency, <cite cite="http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1274091822573?p=1259152466069">HPA - Health Protection Agency warns fly fishermen of rabies risk from Daubenton?s bats</cite>.]
Health Protection Agency warns fly fishermen of rabies risk from Daubenton?s bats
18 June 2010
As the fly fishing season begins, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is warning anglers not to handle any bats that they might accidentally hook while fly fishing, as there is a small risk of catching a rabies-like virus from these animals.
A small proportion of Daubenton's bats, which is the species most frequently seen skimming the surface of water in search of insects, carry European Bat Lyssavirus 2 (EBLV2), which can cause rabies in those bitten, scratched, or exposed to infected saliva.
Dr Hilary Kirkbride, consultant epidemiologist at the HPA, said:
"Although it is very rare for bats to pass this virus on to humans, fly fishermen should never handle these animals directly.
"If a bat is accidentally hooked while fishing, the angler should try to land the bat on the riverbank, where it may free itself from the line. If handling the bat cannot be avoided, then appropriate thick protective gloves should be worn at all times.
"Anyone who is bitten, scratched or exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of an infected bat should clean the wound as soon as possible with soap and water and seek medical advice immediately. A vaccine is available, which, if taken soon after contact with an infected animal, is highly effective in preventing rabies and will pose no long-term risk to health."
Ends
Notes for editors
- EBLV is a rabies-like virus, which infects insectivorous bats in Europe. It comes from the same family of viruses as rabies, but is a different strain from that which causes 'classical' rabies in dogs and many other domestic and wild animals.
- There are 2 types of EBLV - type 1 and type 2. EBLV2 has been isolated from nine UK bats in Sussex, Lancashire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, and Scotland. EBLV1 is found elsewhere in Europe but has not been found in the UK.
- It is very rare for EBLV to cross the 'species barrier'. This means that even if bats are known to be carrying the virus other animals are rarely infected.
- All people licensed to handle bats or who regularly handle bats in Great Britain should ensure that they have up to date rabies vaccination and should always wear protective gloves when handling bats.
- For further information on European Bat Lyssavirus (EBLV) visit the Health Protection Agency website on (LINK)
- For further advice, call the Bat Conservation Trust Helpline on 0845 1300 228.
For further information on this press release please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on:
Eleanor Bunch 020 8327 7751
Louise Brown 020 8327 7080
Emma Gilgunn-Jones 020 8327 6647
Kate Swan 020 8327 7097
Alexandra Baker 020 8327 7098
Georgina Fletcher 020 8327 6690
Last reviewed: 18 June 2010
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