FED: Second case of bat disease

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-1998
FED: Second case of bat disease

BRISBANE, Dec 8 AAP - A woman was seriously ill in a Mackay hospital in north Queensland
today suffering Australian Bat Lyssavirus, after being bitten by a sick bat more than two
years ago.

Queensland Health said it was second case of the disease recorded in Australia.

The first was in November, 1996. Lyssavirus causes inflammation of the brain and is likely
to be spread through being bitten or scratched by an infected bat.

Jeffrey Hanna from the departments Tropical Health Unit said the woman was bitten before
the infection had been identified in humans in Australia, and before information about
vaccination and bat handling precautions was circulated.

The woman, who is not a bat handler, was in a serious but stable condition in Mackay Base
Hospital, Dr Hanna said.

The disease had apparently lain dormant in her system until recently.

Dr Hanna said anyone finding an injured bat should contact the Wildlife Service or a
wildlife carer who was trained to handle native animals.

"Bat handlers are encouraged to follow all necessary precautions," Dr Hanna said.

"People need not be concerned about bats or flying foxes in trees or if they fly overhead,"
he said.

AAP geb/trm/br

KEYWORD: LYSSAVIRUS (CARRIED EARLIER)

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