Community & Business
13 September, 2022
Warning About Handling Bats
Here is a timely reminder to residents of Allora as bats have been known to roost in Dalrymple Park.
Darling Downs residents are being urged not to ‘wing it’ when it comes to sick or injured bats, after a confirmed case of Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) in Kingsthorpe.
The injured animal was found in a backyard last month, with the residents alerting appropriate auth-orities.
Director of Public Health and Community Medicine Dr Liam Flynn commended the members of the community for following all the right steps.
“They didn’t touch or handle the bat in any way which is really important, and means that no one was exposed,” Dr Flynn said.
“A trained bat handler visited the property, collected the animal, and transported it to RSPCA.”
“It was tested and found to be positive for Australian Bat Lyssavirus. This result was notified to Queensland Health and relevant follow-up was undertaken by our unit.”
“Australian Bat Lyssavirus can be fatal in humans,” Dr Flynn said.
“Bats should never be handled by members of the public, including if you come across a sick or injured bat, or even if the bat appears to be dead.”
Only people who are trained and appropriately vaccinated should ever handle bats.
If you have been bitten, scratched or exposed to bat saliva, seek urgent medical attention or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
