Health authorities are desperately trying to identify four children who played with a bat suspected of carrying a deadly rabies-like disease.
The children, aged between 3 and 10, were playing with the bat at Nerima Gardens in Queens Park, Ipswich in Brisbane’s south-west, about 10am last Saturday.
The bat is suspected to be infected with a deadly rabies-like disease known as lyssavirus, which could have been spread to the children.
Witnesses who saw the bat at the time reported that the animal appeared ill and showed signs of the virus.
Health authorities in Queensland are desperately trying to identify four children who may have been infected by a bat (pictured) carrying the lyssavirus
Health officials have confirmed that several bats from the area have tested positive for Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV).
West Moreton Health issued a statement on Friday calling for information to identify the children.
“It is an unusual step for us to go out into the community (for help), but other ways of identifying the children have been successful,” West Moreton Health Public Health physician Dr. Penny Hutchinson said.
‘ABLV is a serious and potentially fatal virus. If you or your child has come into contact with the bat, immediate action is necessary, even if you have no complaints.’
Authorities have said people should not panic over the latest warning and that they are trying to identify the children to prevent the virus from spreading to others.
West Moreton Health Public Health Physician Dr. Penny Hutchinson (pictured) said health officials are trying to identify the children as they could spread the virus to others
Lyssavirus is a very rare disease transmitted from bats to humans and is closely related to rabies.
A lyssavirus infection can cause death if the symptoms of the disease, including headache, fever and fatigue, are not treated.
The virus can stop muscle movements, causing paralysis, and it can also cause seizures.
Dr. Hutchinson said health authorities want to ensure the children are treated before they start developing symptoms.
An infected person may begin to show symptoms within a few days, but it can also take up to eight weeks for signs of the virus to appear.
Dr. Hutchinson urged people to stay away from bats and not come into contact with the animals if they are sick, injured or trapped.
“It is important to remind the community that the only people who should handle bats and flying foxes are trained handlers who have been vaccinated and have the correct protective equipment,” she said.
‘Ninety-nine percent of exposure to bats occurs through people who handle bats.’
Lyssavirus is a very rare disease that is transmitted from bats (see photo) to humans
Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat, or exposed to bat saliva through the eyes, nose or mouth, is urged not to scrub the wound.
The infected person should wash the wound gently and thoroughly with soap and water for at least five minutes.
If available, antiseptics and antivirals such as povidone-iodine or alcohol (ethanol) should also be applied to the wound.
People should rinse their eyes, nose and mouth with water if bat saliva gets into these parts of the body.
If someone has been bitten by a bat or exposed to bat saliva, a doctor or the nearest hospital should be contacted immediately.
Anyone who sees a bat is urged to contact the RSPCA or a conservationist to collect the bat.