The Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABL) was first recognised in NSW in 1996 and is closely related to the rabies virus.
ABL has claimed the lives of two people since the 1990's. Both people were from Queensland and had been bitten by bats infected with ABL. It must be assumed that all types of Australian bats and flying foxes have the potential to carry ABL.
It must also be assumed that ABL infection is always fatal.
Visitors and residents of island resorts should only be concerned about transmission of the infection if they are exposed to bat saliva (resulting from a penetrating scratch or bite) or by a mucous membrane exposed to bat saliva or brain tissue. This provides direct access of the virus saliva to exposed tissue.
Prompt treatment following a bat scratch or bite can prevent disease and/or death. Australian Bat Lyssavirus information on the Communicable Diseases Australia website will guide guests and island resort staff in the management of the situation.
It is important that guests and island resort staff are aware of prevention strategies and whom they should contact if they find a bat – injured or otherwise.
The Communicable Diseases Australia website may prove useful. It provides fact sheets and useful contact numbers for people who are bitten or scratched by a bat as well as information on handling fruit that has been in contact with flying foxes.
For further information contact:
Tropical Population Health Network
Environmental Protection Agency
Go back to the main Topics page
Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Feedback
|
Other languages
© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2008.
