Bats are fascinating animals. With about 980 bat species throughout the world they count for a quarter of all mammal species. The approximately 32 indigenous bat species of Europe are exceptionally insectivore and thus harmless to humans.

Almost all European bat species are endangered and therefore protected by regulations of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of the European Union on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, by the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe, EUROBATS, 1991 or by national legislation.

Bats roost or hibernate in buildings, trees or sub terrestrial rooms such as caves, cellars or mines. Within buildings, they prefer attics, planking or areas behind window shutters. There is no reason to evict bat colonies as there is little chance of contact with humans.

Like in all animals, infectious diseases can occur in bats. Rabies is a virus disease which can also be transmitted by the bite of a rabid bat. It is important to note that bats are reservoirs and vectors for six out of the seven lyssavirus genotypes characterized so far. For five genotypes, bats are the exclusive vectors, and only genotype 1, the classical rabies virus, also includes terrestrial vectors (mainly carnivores). Bat rabies viruses (genotypes 2–7) have a narrower geographical and host-range distribution (so far, most are confined to the Old World plus Australia). Bat rabies in Europe is caused by two different lyssavirus, e.g. the European Bat Lyssavirus 1 and 2 (EBLV 1and 2) representing genotypes 5 and 6, respectively. Recently, in the caucasus area a new lyssavirus was isolated and proposed as West Caucasian Bat Lyssavirus (WCBV). (See Table of Genotypes). In Europe, bat rabies is a different disease epidemiologically distinct from classical rabies found in terrestrial animals.

Bats are not aggressive, although, like any wild animal, they may bite to defend themselves if handled. Rabies can be transmitted to humans by the bite of a bat. Approved rabies vaccination can prevent the disease. Bat handlers are recommended to get preventive vaccination. Post-exposure prophylaxis should be considered when contact between a human and a bat has occurred unless the exposed person can rule out a bite or scratch, or exposure to a mucous membrane.

Leaflet Bat Rabies