Research overview: lyssavirus diversity and felid exposure beyond classical rabies

Classical rabies virus is one of several lyssaviruses that can infect mammals, and felids may occasionally be exposed to other members of this genus, including bat-associated lyssaviruses. This overview surveys the diversity of lyssaviruses, the predominance of classical rabies in felid cases, and documented or potential exposure of cats to bat lyssaviruses such as Lagos bat virus. It examines the challenge of diagnosing and distinguishing lyssavirus infections, the role of bat and carnivore reservoirs, and the public-health and conservation implications. The synthesis broadens the rabies story to the wider lyssavirus family. It aims to help readers understand that the threat to felids encompasses more than the familiar rabies virus, and that surveillance must account for a genus of related, uniformly dangerous neurotropic viruses.