Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABL) is closely related to the rabies virus.
The best protection against being exposed to the virus is to avoid handling bats or flying foxes.
Only vaccinated people who have been trained in the care of bats should ever handle bats or flying foxes. If you come across an injured or sick bat, do not touch it; contact the nearest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for assistance. All Australian bats have the potential to carry ABL.
There is no known risk of contracting ABL from bats flying overhead, contact with bat urine or faeces or from fruit they may have eaten. Living, playing or walking near bat roosting areas does not pose a risk of exposure to the virus.
A bat bite, scratch or mucous membrane exposure to bat saliva is necessary to transmit the virus. Usually bats do not approach humans, more commonly bat scratches or bites occur if someone is trying to ‘rescue’ an injured, sick or distressed bat.
Since November 1996, two Queenslanders have died as a result of ABL following bites or scratches from bats.
ABL has been detected in all four species of flying foxes, and at least three species of insectivorous bats.
It is recommended that for any person who has been bitten, scratched, or had a mucous membrance exposure to bat saliva that treatment be commenced as soon as possible. Treatment involves a course of vaccinations that are necessary to protect the person against ABL.
See your GP or hospital immediately following an incident. The Doctor will contact their nearsest Population Health Unit to arrange the vaccinations.
If the bat is available and tested and the results are negative for ABL, the course of vaccinations will not be required.
Prompt treatment following a bat scratch or bite can prevent disease and/or death.
You are advised not to touch any bats, leave it to an experienced bat handler.
Contact your nearest EPA office who will advise you on what to do or will make arrangements to collect the bat. Any bats that have bitten or scratched a person can be tested to determine if they are infected with ABL.
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