Rabies and Bat Contact: Information for Veterinary Professionals
3 July 2025
During the summer months bat activity levels peak and veterinary professionals may find themselves presented with injured or unwell bats. With the recent report of a bat detected with European Bat Lyssavirus-1 (EBLV-1) on the Isle of Wight, BSAVA has collated relevant resources as a reminder about the public health risks and the precautions which should be taken when handling bats, particularly with regard to the potential for rabies transmission.
European Bat Lyssaviruses (EBLVs)
EBLVs belong to the group of viruses that cause rabies. The virus is present in the saliva of infected bats and can be spread to humans or other mammals through the bite or scratch of an infected bat. The virus may also enter the body via open wounds or mucous membranes, however the risk of a pet or a human contacting EBLV from a bat is very low1.
EBLVs are found in bats across Europe and have occasionally been detected in the UK in bats submitted to the bat surveillance scheme, which does not change the UK’s status as a rabies-free country. Over 15,000 bats have been tested since 1986, and very few have tested positive. Rabies-related viruses have been recorded in 42 bats out of over 5,000 tested since 20212, and in only two of the 18 bat species present in the UK, the serotine bat and the Daubenton’s bat. Cases of EBLV in pets are rare and have not been detected in the UK to date. However, isolated cases of the EBLV-1 virus have been reported in cats in France (2003, 2007, and 2020) and in the Netherlands in 20243. There is no legislative requirement to vaccinate UK cats who do not travel abroad.
Veterinary responsibilities and legal considerations
Veterinary professionals in practice have a professional obligation, as laid out in the supporting guidance for the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct, to provide necessary first aid, pain relief or euthanasia for injured or suffering animals presented to them, including bats. Bats are protected by law, but a licence is not required to provide treatment, and euthanasia can be performed if necessary.
Infection control and personal safety
Whilst the risk of EBLV transmission to humans is very low1, those handling bats may be at an increased risk of contracting the disease and it is sensible to assume that all bats are possible carriers. Individuals handling bats should wear gloves of a suitable thickness for the species of bat they are handling to avoid being bitten or scratched. Further information on how to safely contain and handle a bat can be found on the Bat Conservation Trust website. The Government recommends that individuals who regularly handle bats are vaccinated against rabies4.
Post-exposure protocol
In the event that an individual is bitten or scratched by a bat or exposed to bat saliva or nervous tissue in any other way, they should seek immediate medical advice, regardless of vaccination status. The contact area should be washed with soap and water, and any wounds must be disinfected. It is important to be aware that a bite may not leave a mark or bleed, however if any such contact is suspected, medical advice must be sought.
Further information
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA):
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rabies-epidemiology-transmission-and-prevention
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-risks-from-bat-bites.
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rabies/
Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rabies-in-bats
Bat surveillance and reporting
If a bat dies in veterinary care, or a practice is presented with a dead bat, the body can be submitted to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) under the bat surveillance scheme. This is a passive surveillance scheme and should not be used for suspect cases. Rabies is a notifiable disease, therefore the local APHA office must be contacted immediately if it is suspected.
BSAVA resources
Companion article https://www.bsavalibrary.com/content/journals/10.22233/20412495.0824.20#html_fulltext
References
[2] https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/siu.apha/viz/BatRabiesDashboard/Intro
[3] Eblé P, Dekker A, van den End S, Visser V, Engelsma M, Harders F, van Keulen L, van Weezep E, Holwerda M. A case report of a cat infected with European bat lyssavirus type 1, the Netherlands, October 2024. Euro Surveill. 2025 Mar;30(10) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11912140/
[4] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rabies-epidemiology-transmission-and-prevention