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Bat/Flying Fox Safety for your family

Oct 4, 2019 | Front Page Feature, News

Have you had a conversation about Bat or Flying Fox safety with your family?  All Bats/Flying Foxes have the potential to carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) which can only be transmitted to humans by bites or scratches from infected bats or saliva into an open wound.

Now is the time to educate your family on the dangers associated with Bats/Flying Foxes and to always keep a safe distance from them.

What appears to be a dead Bat/Flying Fox, may infact still be alive or have a live baby tucked under its wing. If you find a sick or dead Bat/Flying Fox contact North Burnett Regional Council on 1300 696 272 (1300 MY NBRC) for assistance or Queensland Wildlife Carers Association on 4159 6431 / 0439 502 228 for advice.

If you need to remove a Bat/Flying Fox, please do not handle, instead pick it up using a spade and wear pierce-proof gloves, disposing of the body into a cardboard box or similar and then into your wheelie bin or local landfill. Do not make direct physical contact with the bat.

Bat First Aid: If you are bitten, nibbled or scratched by a Bat or Flying Fox immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least five minutes. Do not scrub the wound. If available, an antiseptic with anti-virus action such as those containing iodine or alcohol should be applied after washing. Seek medical attention immediately as a series of injections are required to prevent Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV).

For further information contact Council’s Planning and Environmental team on 1300 696 272 (1300 696 272), visit Council’s website https://www.northburnett.qld.gov.au/flyingfoxes/, or email admin@northburnett.qld.gvo.au