13 May 2025: European Bat Lyssavirus and pets
Published 28 November 2025
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alerts-for-vets-small-animal-risks-and-threats-smart-comms-system/13-may-2025-european-bat-lyssavirus-and-pets
Situation
In late 2024, a domestic cat in the Netherlands tested positive for European Bat Lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1) following an onset of aggressive behaviour. This is the first case of EBLV-1 in a cat in the Netherlands, and the fourth in Europe since 2000.
Details
A 2.5-year-old cat presented with abnormal behaviour and aggression. The cat was euthanised and tested positive for EBLV-1 both by PCR and immunofluorescence test (IFT). EBLV-1 virus was detected in the brain and a salivary gland. Three and half weeks prior, a dead bat had been found in the home, but no further testing was conducted. The cat was not vaccinated against rabies.
European bat lyssaviruses (EBLVs) belong to the group of viruses that cause the disease rabies. Previous European cases of EBLV-1 infection in cats have been detected in France in 2003, 2007 and 2020. There have been no known cases of infected pets transmitting EBLV-1 to people.
Action
Rabies is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of rabies in an animal must be reported immediately by calling 03000 200 301 in England; 03003 038 268 in Wales; and the local field services office in Scotland.
As bats emerge from hibernation their activity levels peak. EBLVs are found in bats across Europe, including the UK. Both EBLV-1 and European bat lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2) have occasionally been detected in bats submitted to the bat surveillance scheme. Great Britain is officially free of classical (terrestrial) rabies.
Classical rabies vaccines provide some cross-immunity to EBLV-1 and EBLV-2. The risk of a pet contracting EBLV-1 or EBLV-2 from a bat is very low and there is no legislative requirement to vaccinate UK cats who do not travel abroad.
Further information
- WBVR study shows European Bat Lyssavirus type 1 in Dutch cat – WUR
- Bat Rabies Dashboard, Tableau Public
- Rabies in bats: how to spot it and report it - GOV.UK
Message sent from the Small Animal Expert Group SAEG@apha.gov.uk