The glycoprotein (G) is a trimeric spike protein that extends through the virus's envelope and can interact with surface receptors of host cells.

Additionally, it is believed that the spike protein either binds to a highly specific host receptor or uses a co-receptor in lipid rafts.

The lowering of pH in the early-endosome causes a conformational change in the spike protein G. This allows the viral envelope to fuse with the endosome, releasing the nucleocapsid into the cytoplasm of the host cell.

However, recent studies have found that the ABLV receptor for host cell entry is conserved amongst a variety of mammals, including but not limited to small rodents, monkeys, and rabbits.

From the four flying fox species identified as host reservoirs, ABLV is present in areas of Western Australia, North Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.

[5] The first case occurred in November 1996, when 39 year old Patricia Padget, an animal caregiver in Rockhampton sustained several scratches from a bite from a yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat in her care.

While hospitalized, her condition rapidly deteriorated, with slurred speech, diplopia (double-vision), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and progressive weakness in her limbs.

From cerebrospinal fluid samples, no organisms were found with microscopy or culturing, despite elevated white blood cell levels.

[5][8][9] The second case began in August 1996, 37 year old Monique Todhunter from Mackay was bitten on the finger by a flying fox at a birthday party, while attempting to remove it from a child on whom it had landed.

Six months later, following heightened public attention from the first ABLV death, she consulted a general practitioner regarding testing for the virus.

[10] The third, and most recent, case occurred in December of 2012, when 8 year-old Lincoln Flynn was scratched by a bat in Long Island.

His condition worsened through his hospitalization, with abnormal and aggressive bouts between normal behavior and intense muscle spasms.

[5][11][12] ABLV (and the other Lyssaviruses) present similarly to the traditional encephalitic rabies virus (RABV) in humans.

[5] Due to its difficulty in diagnosing, low number of reported cases, and relative novelty as an endemic virus, there are no successful treatment plans once the symptoms have begun.

However, it is highly recommended by physicians to receive the RABV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocol immediately after potential lyssavirus exposure (i.e.. exposure/interaction with bats).

[citation needed] In a 2021 study performed by Weir, Coggins, et.al., a new treatment method was proposed that used human monoclonal antibodies over RIGs.

They also proposed it as a potential diagnostic tool, in which there are only limited methods with PCR and are late into the symptomatic phase to positively identify ABLV.

The public health units in Australia advise that the population avoid and limit their interactions and physical contact with bats as much as possible.

Both horses were euthanized when their condition deteriorated despite treatment and the attending veterinarian performed a post mortem examination obtaining samples that allowed for the laboratory diagnosis.