Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV): Reminder about bats in the hot summer months

As the temperature rises in our region, there is an increased risk that your patients may come into contact with sick, injured, and deceased flying foxes (bats). Bats can carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) which is a nationally notifiable disease that causes a fatal encephalitis similar to rabies.

ABLV is transmitted through a bite or scratch from an infected bat, or from contact with an infected bat via a wound or mucous membranes.

Metro South Public Health Unit advises clinicians to provide urgent wound care and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to patients who:

• are bitten/scratched by a bat

• have had mucous membrane exposure to bat saliva.

Please contact your local Public Health Unit urgently to discuss PEP if your patient reports a bat exposure.

More information for health professionals about Australian bat lyssavirus

Please view the Australian Centre for Disease Control webpage for more information about:

• the diagnosis and management of ABLV

• epidemiology

• vaccination recommendations

• notification and reporting guidance.

Is your practice ready for the summer months?

Resources are available to support you and your practice to prepare to respond in the event of a heatwave or natural disaster.

• Read the full article for Get Ready Queensland Week 2025.

• View the Heatwave Management Sub-Plan.