Bats and lissa
hello.
Lissa is not rabies. the reason it is called a rabies like virus is that is is close enough that the rabies shots work on it.
There are not anit body shots for the lissa strain, it was however discovered that as the virus is similar to rabies the shots used to treat rabies also work for lissa.
When I had my rabies shots several years ago ( as a bat handler, not for rabies) it was a series of 5 shots given over about 14days. They are not much fun as you arm hurts like heck afterwards.
Info below was correct at the time I had my shots
Most people would not have to worry about catching this virus off bats ;which can kill and has done so in at least 2 cases of handlers and one where the guy worked at a piggery, that I know of.
As long as anyone handling bats, micro or maxi, uses caution and gloves if you feel its required, you will be OK.
If you should get scratched or bitten, wash straight away with hot soapy water and present yourself to local hospital. They are required to start treatment straight away - free of charge; it use to be about $500 if you were a carer- 1st step is a hep shot, they then aquire the rabies serum and start it off, your doctor will usually complete the series.
If you have the bat - take it with you. It will be killed, sent to Melbourne for testing and if the test results are negative your series of shots can be stopped.
The only way to test a bat is to freeze the brain, take micro thin slices and look under a microscope for the virus.
if you should get peed on, easy if you have fruit trees, don't panic - just have a shower, you'll be fine.
I use to have a heap of info on this but it has never been unpacked since I moved so this is from my memory - which is getting worse lately haha
