Abstract

In 2005, six children were treated in our department who had been in contact with a bat infected with European bat lyssavirus 1 (EBL1). In the Czech Republic, this was the first confirmed case of rabies since 2002, but the fourth case of bat rabies since 1994. All the cases were related to Southern Moravia and bat species which almost do not migrate. This suggests only endemic prevalence of EBL1 in this country. Bat rabies is different from rabies in terrestic mammals. Based on genetic analyses, the lyssavirus genus may be divided into 6 genotypes of which genotypes 1 (rabies virus), 5 (EBL1) and 6 (EBL2) are found in Europe. The infectious cycles of bat lyssaviruses are limited solely to bat populations, in particular the Eptesicus serotinus species and the Myotis genus. Transmission to other mammals is rare. In Europe, four cases of human infection and death due to rabies caused by any of bat lyssaviruses have been reported. Immunologically, bat lyssaviruses are very similar to the common rabies virus. Therefore, the standard prophylactic methods are sufficient. Because of a different natural reservoir, the Czech Republic may be still considered a rabies-free country. However, contacts with bats always pose a risk of rabies.