This was published 4 years ago
Warning as 'starving bats' pose health risk to south-east Queensland
By Lydia Lynch
Potentially disease-ridden bats are dropping from the trees and scratching residents in Brisbane as dry and hot conditions persist.
Queensland Health issued a public health warning on Monday, after Oxley man Nigel Lott, 56, was scratched on the face by a bat while he was riding his bike home.
Experts say people are most likely to be bitten when they try to move a bat that appears to be dead or injured. Credit: Shelly Nundra
“I actually had a head-on collision with a bat while riding home. It clocked me on the side of the head,” he said.
The next morning he went to QEII Hospital and had four vaccinations.
"They said the risk of ABLV [Australian bat lyssavirus] was low but strongly recommended that I have the course of injections.”
Mr Lott believed the flashing headlight on his helmet disoriented the bat.
A Queensland Health spokesman said hospitals had seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of people who had been bitten or scratched by bats, compared with last year.
Janine Barret of Biosecurity Queensland said that because of dry conditions, bats in south-east Queensland were starving, making the likelihood of contact with pets and people unusually high.
“Both starvation and heat-stress in bats make contact with a distressed bat more likely,” Dr Barrett said.
“However, if you see a bat, dead or alive, on the ground, don’t touch it.
"Only rabies-vaccinated people who are experienced in handling bats and using appropriate personal protective equipment should rescue or examine a bat."
Communicable Diseases medical director Heidi Carroll said there were about 300 reported cases of potential exposure to ABLV each year in Queensland, mainly because of "untrained people handling bats".
"The message ‘don’t touch bats’ isn’t new advice but it’s important advice that people should take seriously,” Dr Carroll said.
“When people try to move a bat that appears to be dead or injured, that’s when they are most likely to be scratched or bitten.
“Scratches, bites and bat saliva into the eyes, nose or mouth are very serious and require immediate medical assessment to prevent the potential development of ABLV infection.”
If you are bitten or scratched by a bat or exposed to bat saliva:
- Immediately wash the wound gently with soap and water for at least five minutes.
- If available, apply an antiseptic such as Betadine after washing.
- If bat saliva is in your eyes, nose or mouth, flush the area thoroughly with water.
- Immediately contact a doctor to arrange vaccination.
- Contact the RSPCA hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or a wildlife carer to collect the bat for testing, if it is available.