Novel Lyssaviruses Isolated from Bats in Russia

Abstract

Two new rabies-related viruses were discovered in Russia during 2002. Viruses were isolated from bats in Eastern Siberia near Baikal Lake and in the western Caucasus Mountains. After preliminary antigenic and genetic characterization, we found that both viruses should be considered as new putative lyssavirus genotypes.

Keywords

• lyssavirus
• rabies
• bat
• rhabdovirus
• infectious disease
• Russia