The confirmation of the first two cases of Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) in horses last year has highlighted the need for greater awareness of the disease in all domestic animals.

A rabies-like virus, ABLV had previously only been detected in bats and humans and, until 2013, Australia had been considered free from these types of viruses in domestic and feral animals including horses.

Two veterinarians, who have studied the two cases in-depth, recently published a paper on their findings.

The authors want horses and other domestic animals that present with progressive neurologic disease or signs reflecting diffuse neurologic dysfunction to be tested for ABLV so that appropriate post-exposure and treatment assessment can take place. Testing will also provide a greater understanding of the disease’s prevalence in Australia, the authors say