Deadly virus concern

A WILDLIFE carer has criticised the lack of information around the deadly lyssavirus in the Far North, claiming authorities would prefer humans got vaccinated rather than gather real data on the number of cases.

Tolga Bat Hospital owner Jenny McLean said it was too costly to send a bat to Brisbane for testing if carers suspected the disease.

Her comments came as Biosecurity Queensland awaits results this week from a bat suspected of carrying the rabies-like disease. The bat was found roosting in the trees outside Cairns City Library on Abbott St.

Ms McLean said the state government would not provide any support for the transport, which cost up to $600 per animal, and simply advised those near a sick bat to get vaccinated.

Ms McLean said there was no way of knowing how widespread lyssavirus was.

“It makes it very hard for bat carers to get an understanding of a bat with the virus. It is in the public interest for people to know just how many bats around the area are carrying it,” she said.

“It doesn’t alter what you do. You never want to get bitten by a bat, but it would be good to know the incidence of lyssavirus.”

Ms McLean did concede the risk of lyssavirus being spread to humans was very low.

“Flying foxes move around a lot. On any one day in the Cairns CBD 80 per cent of the bats that were there the day before would be gone,” she said.

“You have to get the saliva of a sick bat into your nervous system and even if that does happen it’s completely preventable, you go to a doctor and get a vaccination. It is not a public health problem, there just has to be more education.”

A Biosecurity Queensland spokeswoman said members of the public should always assume any bat could spread the virus and avoid handling live bats.

“Only rabies vaccinated people who are experienced in handling bats and using appropriate personal protective equipment should rescue or examine a bat,” she said.

If a bat needs help, contact the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or a local volunteer wildlife care organisation for help to safely collect a live bat.

A Cairns Regional Council spokeswoman said while the organisation didn’t receive “specific reports of testing”, it was understood “flying foxes from local colonies were regularly tested for lyssavirus”.

“Council is not aware of any recent positive results,” she said. “However, it is known lyssavirus is present in flying fox populations, which is why it is vital members of the public do not touch flying foxes.

“Anyone who does come in direct contact with a flying fox should seek immediate medical treatment, which includes a vaccination for lyssavirus.”