NSW Health warns of rising Australian bat lyssavirus risk

Health authorities in New South Wales have issued a warning following a significant increase in people being bitten or scratched by bats. The incidents have been reported across coastal areas, including Hunter New England, the Central Coast, the Mid North Coast, and Northern NSW.

Health protection director Keira Glasgow advised the public to avoid touching bats, noting that they are particularly active during spring and summer. Officials warned that any bat could potentially carry Australian bat lyssavirus, a dangerous relative of the rabies virus. While human transmission is considered incredibly rare, up to 6 per cent of bats that come into contact with humans are infected with the virus.

NSW Health emphasized that once symptoms of lyssavirus appear, there is no effective treatment. The warning follows previous fatalities, including a case in NSW last year where a man died after receiving post-exposure prophylaxis treatment. Authorities urge anyone seeing an injured or distressed bat to contact local wildlife rescue services instead of attempting to handle the animal.