Surveillance for rabies-related lyssaviruses in South African insectivorous bat species

Routine lyssavirus surveillance in South Africa identified a possible new lyssavirus species. Using next-generation sequencing technologies, we have obtained the whole-genome sequence for the potential novel lyssavirus, Matlo bat lyssavirus (MBLV), isolated from a Natal long fingered bat (Miniopterus natalensis) in Limpopo, South Africa.