Festival bat scare

HEALTH authorities are urging people who may have had contact with a bat at the Escape Music Festival on South Stradbroke Island at the weekend to phone them “urgently”.

The Metro South Public Health Unit said it had been notified people may have come into contact with a small bat in the women’s toilet block during the festival and advised them to phone 3176 4000.

“Scratches, bites and bat saliva into the eyes, nose or mouth from a bat are very serious and require immediate medical assessment to prevent the potential development of Australian bat lyssavirus infection,” said public health physician Kari Jarvinen.

Three Queenslanders have died from Australian bat lyssavirus since 1996, the last in February 2013.

Dr Jarvinen said prompt treatment after a bat scratch or bite could prevent serious disease and possibly death.