Confirmed case of bat rabies in Oxfordshire

A routine test carried out on a female Daubenton's bat submitted to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, Surrey has confirmed the presence of European Bat Lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2), a strain of rabies.

The grounded bat was found by members of the public on a path by the river Thames close to Abingdon Lock in Abingdon, Oxfordshire

(SU506971) on 12 September. The bat was cared for by the finders for a short time and was then taken into the care of experienced bat conservation group volunteers. The bat is believed to have died on September 15th and was sent to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for routine testing. Although initial tests on this bat were negative, a biological test which requires up to 28 days to provide a final result, produced a positive result.

The people who are known to have cared for and handled the bat are receiving appropriate medical treatment as a precautionary measure - the risk to their health is negligible.

Everyone 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.

Anyone who believes they or their pets may have had direct contact with this specific bat, should contact the State Veterinary Service at Reading Animal Health Office on 0118 959 6695 for animal contacts and the Oxford Health Protection Unit on 01865 226 858for human contacts.

Anyone finding a sick or ailing bat should not approach or handle it but seek advice from a local bat conservation group or the Bat Conservation Trust Helpline on 0845 130 0228 (or in Scotland, the Scottish SPCA on 0870 7377722).

If any person is bitten by a bat, the wound should be immediately and thoroughly cleaned with soap and water. Additional cleansing of the wound site with an alcohol base or other disinfectant is also recommended and immediate medical advice must be sought.