Darling Downs residents are being warned 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 bat was found in a back yard in August with residents alerting appropriate authorities.
Director of Public Health and Community Medicine Dr Liam Flyn said the residents did not touch or handle the bat in any way, which is really important, and means that no one was exposed.
A trained bat handler collected the animal and transported it to the RSPCA where it was tested and found to be positive to ABLV.
“The positive result is a timely reminder not to touch bats under any circumstances as all bats and flying foxes in Australia have the potential to carry ABLV,” he said.
“Australian Bat Lyssavirus can be fatal to humans.
“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,” he said.
Only people who are trained and appropriately vaccinated should ever handle bats.
If you find a sick or injured bat, contact the RSPCA on 1300 264 625.
If you have been bitten, scratched or exposed to bat saliva, seek urgent medical attention or call 13 432 584.
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 15 September 2022.
