There are two strains: EBL1 and EBL2. This is not the strain most associated with terrestrial mammals in Europe which is called 'sylvatic rabies'. This has never been recorded in bats in Europe.


EBL in bats is very rare in the UK. Over the past 15 years of surveillance by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, with up to 200 bats tested each year for bat rabies, only two cases have returned positive results. Both of these cases, in 1996 and 2002, have been Daubenton’s bats, which rarely live in houses and rarely come into contact with people.


The risk of catching the disease from a bat is extremely low, for several reasons.

• 15 years of surveillance of bats for rabies in the UK has only found two cases.
  

• Human contact with bats is very rare even when they share the same buildings and especially for Daubenton’s bats which rarely roost in houses.
  

• EBL is transmitted by the bite of an infected bat. There is therefore no risk to people if bats are not approached or handled by them.
  

Bats are not aggressive, although, like any wild animal, they may bite to defend themselves if handled. Most of the UK’s bats have such small teeth that a bite will not break the skin. A bat that appears to be baring its teeth is 'scanning' you with its unique echo-location voice, which you cannot hear.


More than 1,000 trained voluntary bat workers with the Bat Conservation Trust handle bats regularly for conservation and welfare, with no ill effects.


The most common bat living in people’s homes, the pipistrelle, has never been found with EBL.


The treatment of people bitten by bats infected with EBL 1 and 2 in the UK and Europe has been completely effective. For example, 180 people bitten by EBL bats in the Netherlands have been treated with 100% success over the past two decades.


To avoid the risk of catching rabies the Bat Conservation Trust issued the following advice:


If you find a sick or injured bat:

• Avoid handling the bat and contact your nearest bat worker (call BCT’s bat helpline, during office hours, 0845 1300 228 for your local number).
  

• If you need to handle the bat, use gloves or a soft cloth.
  

On the rare occasion of being bitten by a bat:

• Wash the wound immediately with soap and water. Additional cleansing of the wound site with an alcohol base or other disinfectant is also recommended.
  

• Seek immediate medical advice.
  

• Keep the bat: it can, if considered necessary, be tested for rabies so the risk to you can be properly assessed. Bats can squeeze through very small spaces, so keep it in a well sealed container with adequate ventilation holes and a piece of cloth to hide in.
  

• Contact your nearest bat worker immediately, so they can identify the bat and, if necessary, arrange for rabies testing.
  

Bat workers and animal rescue staff trained to handle bats for conservation and welfare purposes should:

• Ensure they have up-to-date rabies vaccination protection
  

• Always wear protective gloves when handling bats
  

• Follow the advice above if bitten
  

Don't kill a bat if it bites you - keep it alive. Besides being fully protected by the law, killing the bat could reduce the chances of testing it properly for infection. The bat is unlikely to be infected and it may be possible to rehabilitate and release the animal. Your bat worker or vet will be able to assess whether the bat is so poorly that it should be killed humanely.


The Bat Conservation Trust has more than 4,200 supporters, many of whom work hard to monitor bats and help conserve them. They always welcome new members and run regular training courses for bat workers and surveyors.


Bats and their roosts are protected by the law and The Bat Conservation Trust works with householders, builders, farmers and foresters to protect and enhance bat populations.


It is not unusual for people to be afraid of bats until they have met one in person. Bat workers give hundreds of presentations each year to schools and community groups and often take along bats that cannot be returned to the wild, for people to meet. Contact your local bat group if you would like to find out more about bats. Details of your local group are available here.


These guidelines may have been updated. For the latest advice check The Bat Conservation Trust website




Photos and facts about British bats