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Many people have concerns about bats and human health because a very small number of Australian flying foxes (and one species of microbat) have Australian Bat L yssavirus (ABLV). Discovered in June 1996, the virus can be transmitted to humans who are bitten or scratched. It appears that ABLV is rare in the total bat population, as a Queensland DPI& F study showed none of approximately 300 randomly caught wild bats had the disease. However the incidence of ABLV in sick or injured bats is higher, at approximately 5 to 10% of bats handed in for testing.

It is still not known what percentage of the total sick and injured bat population have ABLV, as carers are naturally reluctant to hand over any bats likely to be releasable. We have embarked on a study with Dr. Janine Barrett in collaboration with Dr Geoff Smith of Queensland Health Scientific Services. We are collecting data on the incidence of ABLV in sick and injured Spectacled flying foxes on the Atherton Tablelands. All bats admitted to the hospital are included in the study, and the survivors must be kept in care for a minimum of 2 weeks while being monitored for neurological signs. The ABLV-positive bats wil lusually die or be euthanased within a couple of days.

Do not handle bats unless you are vaccinated for rabies, and if you are bitten or scratched you are advised to have a booster injection. If you see a sick or injured bat, call a vaccinated bat carer from our carers list in the Hospital link.