The South Western Sydney Public Health Unit would like to remind GPs to always consider the risk of Australian Bat Lyssavirus in patients who present with a bat bite or scratch.
Recent high temperatures have affected the health of bats, prompting people to pick them up from the ground or attempt to rescue them. Handling bats can result in lyssavirus infection through bites and scratches from flying foxes and microbats. While there have only been three cases of infection in Australia over the past 40 years, lyssavirus (in the rabies family) is almost always fatal. Always assume that all bats and flying foxes are infectious, regardless of whether the patient reports the animal looks sick or not.
If someone is bitten or scratched by any type of bat they should thoroughly clean the wound for at least five minutes with soap and water as soon as possible, apply an antiseptic solution and seek urgent medical advice.
GPs who are presented with a history of bat bite are encouraged to contact the public health unit on to 1300 066 055 discuss the need for post-exposure prophylaxis. Use of human rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine is dependent on the type of exposure and prior vaccination history.
To find information about lyssavirus: Bat Bites and Scratches fact sheet:
Further information on the public health management of bat bites is also available.