European bat lyssavirus 2 is a lyssavirus species maintained mainly in Daubenton’s bats and pond bats in Europe and capable of causing fatal rabies-like encephalitis in bats and occasionally in humans.
Explanation
European bat lyssavirus 2 (EBLV‑2) belongs to the genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae. Like other lyssaviruses, it is a negative‑sense single‑stranded RNA virus around 12 kilobases in length encoding the nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, matrix protein, glycoprotein and RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase. EBLV‑2 was first identified in 1985 from a Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii) in Switzerland and has since been detected across northern and central Europe, particularly in Daubenton’s bats and pond bats (Myotis dasycneme). Molecular analyses place EBLV‑2 in phylogroup I lyssaviruses, closely related to classical rabies virus yet genetically distinct from EBLV‑1 and Australian bat lyssavirus. The virus replicates in nervous tissue and is shed in saliva, facilitating transmission via bites. Serological studies indicate low but widespread prevalence in bat colonies, suggesting enzootic maintenance with occasional shedding. Laboratory experiments show that antibodies raised against rabies vaccines neutralise EBLV‑2, indicating antigenic similarity and the effectiveness of current prophylactic measures. Although the virus predominantly circulates in bats, spillover to terrestrial mammals is theoretically possible, and human infection is invariably fatal without treatment.
Notable Cases and Prevention
Two confirmed human infections with EBLV‑2 have been reported. The first occurred in 1985 in Finland when a bat researcher developed rabies‑like encephalitis after contact with a Daubenton’s bat. The second involved a bat conservationist in Scotland in 2002; both cases were fatal. No cases in domestic animals have been confirmed to date, but experimental infections demonstrate susceptibility in mice and cats. Surveys of Daubenton’s bat populations show viral RNA prevalence generally under 1 %, with higher seroprevalence indicating past exposure. Public health recommendations stress avoiding direct contact with bats and advocating rabies vaccination for bat handlers. Post‑exposure prophylaxis with rabies vaccine and human rabies immunoglobulin is advised following any bat bite or significant exposure. Continued monitoring of bat populations and viral genetic diversity is important to understand EBLV‑2 ecology and potential risks. EBLV‑2 is an uncommon lyssavirus maintained in specific European bat species. Human infections are extremely rare but uniformly fatal in the absence of prophylaxis. Awareness, vaccination of high‑risk individuals and adherence to post‑exposure protocols are essential safeguards. Related Terms: European Bat Lyssavirus 1, Rabies virus, Lyssavirus, Australian Bat Lyssavirus, Duvenhage virus