Wildlife ARC is deeply saddened by the recent passing of a man in northern NSW who contracted Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV). We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
ABLV is extremely rare, however, it remains a serious disease. The virus enters through a bite or scratch, even ones that seem minor, making every exposure a situation to take seriously.
What to do if someone is bitten or scratched:
- Wash the wound under soap and water for at least 15 minutes
- Apply an antiseptic such as Betadine
- Seek urgent medical care and request post exposure vaccination
For advice following a potential bat bite or scratch, you can call Wildlife ARC. Our trained and licensed wildlife carers can offer support and help you access the appropriate care.
Wildlife ARC’s trained and vaccinated wildlife carers are prepared to safely rescue bats. Please never attempt to handle one yourself. Untrained intervention can unintentionally lead to injury or unnecessary stress for both humans and animals.
Did you know that bats, including Flying-foxes and Microbats, are protected native species and play a vital role in Australia’s ecosystems? Flying-foxes are major pollinators and seed dispersers. Without them, many of our forests simply couldn’t regenerate. Microbats consume huge numbers of insects, including mosquitoes, each night and are crucial to natural pest control.
Bats are intelligent, social, and remarkably clean animals. The risks posed by ABLV are not because bats are dirty or aggressive – they’re not. The danger lies in well-meaning but untrained people intervening directly.
If you find a bat that appears injured, grounded, or entangled:
- Keep yourself, children, and pets at a safe distance.
- Do not attempt to pick it up.
- For bat rescues on the Central Coast, call the Wildlife ARC hotline on (02) 4325 0666.
Please help us protect both people and bats by sharing this message: PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH INJURED BATS.
Further information can be found HERE on the NSW Government Health website.
