What is bats lassavirus? Can I catch it from Poo Bat? What if bats are approaching me?

Last week Queensland Health he informed society About the risk of Australian Lyssavirus bat, after a bat found near the school north of Brisbane, was handed over to a group of wild animal carers.

The bat later died, but it was not confirmed if he carried the virus.

This is not unusual. Volunteers guardians of wild nature respond to thousands of connections from society each year after meeting with diseased, wounded and orphaned bats. And testing all of them routinely for a virus is not justified or feasible.

Here’s what you need to know about the risk of catching the Australian bat and how you can treat him.

What is Lyssavirus bat?

The Australian Lyssavirus bat belongs to the same group of viruses that includes rabies – One of the most notable diseases that people can catch from animals. Rabies causes about 59,000 deaths around the world, mainly after dog bite. It is almost always fatal when symptoms appear.

Australian bat was Lyssavirus discovered In 1996, there were only three confirmed cases of virus in people in Australia, the latest in 2013. All three were fatal.

Fortunately, because Australian Lizsavirus and the rabies of bats are so closely related, preventive measures developed on the international arena against rabies can also protect people from the effects of Australian Lizsavirus of a bat.

Australian Lizsavirus and rabies have a long incubation period (the period between exposure to infection and the appearance of symptoms). If preventive treatments are given during the incubation, they are Very effective in preventing diseases and saving life.

Such treatment reduces what is already a very low risk of illness and death effectively zero.

How could I be exposed to a virus?

The virus is present in the saliva of some Australian bats, including enormous flying foxes (bats eating fruit) and some smaller bats eating insects. But the percentage of bats infected with the virus is usually very low – Less than 0.5%.

Infected bats can get diseased and die, but some may seem intact. In other words, you can not always say, looking at the bat if he is infected or not. However, There is evidence The virus is present at a higher level in patients with bats than in robust ones.

You can’t be exposed to the virus, being at Flying Fox Coost, even if bats on you. You cannot be exposed by bats in the roof or in a shed.

But the virus can be transferred to a person with a scratch or bite. This is if the infected bat scratches or bites you or if their saliva is transmitted to an existing wound.

So you must be careful if you come across a diseased or injured bat, or find a child playing with a bat.

There is no evidence that the virus regularly infects dogs and cats, although rabies yes.

Nevertheless, considering that the Australian Lyssavirus Bat is a close relative of rabies and that rabies will infect most mammals, the possibility that sometimes mammals other than people can spill, cannot be eliminated.

For example, in 2013 Two horses in the same paddock were infected and had to be killed. The source of infection has not been identified.

That is why you should also seek advice if you see an animal like a dog or a cat play with a dead or injured bat. Contact the Wild Nature Care Group to get advice on a bat and veterinarian to discuss treatment after exposing your pet.

How great is the risk?

It is significant to put the risk of Australian Lyssavirus bat in the perspective.

Although each of the three deaths, which is known to have been caused by the virus since 1996
bee stings or anxle.

Bats play an significant role in our ecosystems. Without pollination and pest control services, our more and more fragmented native forests are fighting for recovery after fires, and we had to operate more pesticides on our crops. There is also no evidence that bats are growing in Australian bats populations.

Is the risk of changing people?

However, when we enter natural habitats by settling land, we will probably have increased contact with wildlife, including bats.

Incidents of mass mortality on bats in Australia – for example in recent years caused by extreme heat or Bat paralysis syndrome (It is believed that they are caused by bats consumed environmental toxins) – they will probably lead to increased contact between people, their animals and sensitive bats.

The risk to human health is probably growing, although from a very low level.

What should I do?

First, don’t panic. The infection is extremely scarce and will be like that.

Secondly, do not interfere with the population of bats. Do not collect the diseased or wounded bats and do not let your children or animals play with them. Keep animals at night to minimize potential contact with bats.

Thirdly, if you or a member of your family are bitten or scratched by a bat or suspect that you are looking for medical aid, including treatment after exposure. People who regularly serve bats, such as wildlife carers or researchers, should be vaccinated in advance. They are also trained in the field of unthreatening service of bats and the operate of appropriate personal protection equipment.

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If you find a diseased or injured bat, contact a local group of wild nature rehabilitation or veterinarian.