Circumstances of Human–Bat interactions and risk of lyssavirus transmission in metropolitan France

Abstract

Since the elimination of dog and terrestrial wild animal rabies, bat exposures remain the only source of autochthonous lyssavirus transmission to humans in Western Europe. European bats have already been found infected with several lyssaviruses, and human-bat interactions represent a risk of viral transmission and fatal encephalitis for humans. In this study, we aim to better characterize exposures to bats in metropolitan France from 2003 to 2016 and to identify circumstances associated with exposures to lyssavirus-positive bats. Two complementary sources of data were analysed: 1/ data associated with bats responsible for human exposure received for Lyssavirus testing by the French National Reference Centre for Rabies (NRCR); and 2/ data pertaining to individuals seeking medical care through the French Anti-Rabies Clinics network after contact with a bat. From 2003 to 2016, 425 bats originating from metropolitan France were submitted to the NRCR and 16 (4%) were found positive with a lyssavirus (EBLV-1b was diagnosed in 9 bats, EBLV-1a in 6 and BBLV in one specimen). The two factors associated with bat positivity in our study were the female sex and the bat belonging to the E. serotinus species. During the same study period, 1718 individuals sought care at an Anti-Rabies Clinic after exposure to a bat resulting in an estimated incidence of human-bat interactions of 1.96 per 10 6 person-years. The two most frequent circumstances of exposure were handling or bites. Interactions mostly involved one adult human being and one live and nonsick-looking bat. Our study provides new insights about circumstances of human-bat interactions and may be helpful to target prevention interventions to improve the awareness of the population of the risk of lyssavirus transmission.

A review of the circumstances and health‐seeking behaviours associated with bat exposures in high‐income countries

“…While it is conceivable that, as in Australia, the bat and a pet, most often a cat (Parize et al, 2020). The study's findings prompted the authors to call for information campaigns, of which there were reportedly none, aimed at discouraging members of the public and particularly pet owners from touching bats regardless of their condition (Parize et al, 2020). Other European literature has emphasized the importance of advising members of the public to contact a bat conservation or rehabilitation organization upon finding a sick, injured or grounded bat, and to use an aerated container and thick gloves in the event that relocating, confining or handling a bat is necessary (Bat Conservation Trust, 2020;Racey et al, 2013).…”

First Case of Lethal Encephalitis in Western Europe Due to European Bat Lyssavirus Type 1

“…The public should be reminded to avoid direct interactions with bats. In a context where the disappearance of rabies from terrestrial mammals in Western Europe is reducing the frequency of vaccination among professionals exposed to wildlife, people exposed to bats should be strongly incited to be vaccinated with rabies vaccines, which are effective against EBLV-1 [36], and their antibody titer regulatory monitored [27] according to national recommendations [37]. S1.…”

Incursion of European Bat Lyssavirus 1 (EBLV-1) in Serotine Bats in the United Kingdom

“…Public health guidelines also state that anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek medical advice [54]. Where EBLVs are endemic in bat populations across Europe [17,55] there is an increased likelihood of zoonotic spillover events. The continued detection of EBLVs presents a growing yet manageable public health risk [51,[54][55][56].…”

“…Where EBLVs are endemic in bat populations across Europe [17,55] there is an increased likelihood of zoonotic spillover events. The continued detection of EBLVs presents a growing yet manageable public health risk [51,[54][55][56]. Consequently, an enhanced approach combining passive and active surveillance in bats and using environmental, non-invasive sampling, is required to provide an accurate, ongoing risk assessment in order to effectively mitigate exposure of EBLV in humans and other mammalian species.…”