Australian veterinary journal
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Veterinary surgeons in Australia must be aware of the emerging viral diseases and their potential effects on public health generally and, more specifically, on the veterinary profession. Australian bat lyssavirus was identified in 1996 and causes rabies-like disease in bats and humans. Two humans from Queensland have died of Australian bat lyssavirus encephalitis. ⋯ The pre-exposure regimen of inactivated rabies vaccine (Pasteur Mérieux) provides protection against infection. As part of the preventive regimen, at risk groups, such as veterinary surgeons, should seriously consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination. The post-exposure protocol involves administration of human rabies immunoglobulins and five intramuscular injections of the inactivated rabies vaccine.