ACT Health has received a number of requests for anti-rabies treatment in recent weeks for people who have been bitten or scratched by bats.
These reported injuries are usually occurring when people are attempting to free the bats from netting over fruit trees or when the animal has become trapped on fencing.
ACT Health issues health warning
People should not handle bats at all, even if they are trapped or injured.
All Australian bats have the potential to carry the Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABL), which is in the same virus family as rabies and can be fatal in humans.
ABL is spread by the saliva of infected animals through bites, scratches or licks on broken skin.
If you find a trapped or injured bat, call the RSPCA on (02) 6287 8100 or the wildlife after hours number on 0413 495 031.
Fact sheet and media release
Download
| Download: | Rabies and Australian Bat Lyssavirus Infection Fact Sheet (PDF File - 82k) |
Media release
| Download: | Bats media release (18 March 2011) (PDF File - 20k) |
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