NSW Urges Public to Avoid Bats Over Lyssavirus Risk
NSW Health has issued a warning to the public to avoid handling bats due to a significant increase in bite and scratch incidents. Officials warn that bats may carry the dangerous Australian bat lyssavirus, for which there is no effective treatment once symptoms appear.
Why it matters
Public health warnings are vital for preventing the transmission of zoonotic diseases, particularly when there is a high risk of fatal outcomes.
NSW Health is reminding the community to avoid touching or handling bats, following a recent increase in people being bitten or scratched across the state.
In the two weeks from 28 September to 10 October, 43 people were assessed by NSW Health after being bitten or scratched by bats. This includes in coastal areas in Hunter New England, the Mid North Coast, Northern NSW, and the Central Coast.
This is a significant increase when compared with 10 reported cases of bat bites or scratches for the same two-week period in 2025.
Keira Glasgow, Director in Health Protection at NSW Health, said while bats are particularly active during spring and summer, the increase in exposures is an important reminder for people to avoid touching bats to protect themselves against infection from viruses.
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