NSW Health is reminding the community to avoid touching or handling bats following a man from northern NSW dying in NSW first case of Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), a rare disease closely related to rabies.
ABLV is a close relative to the rabies virus. The virus has been found in species of flying foxes, fruit bats and insect-eating microbats.
Patients who present with potential rabies or ABLV exposure should be immediately referred to a doctor or medical centre.
Rabies or bat lyssavirus is a nationally notifiable disease, so the PHU must be contacted on 1300 066 055. The treatment that the patient receives depends on a risk assessment conducted by the PHU in conjunction with the treating doctor based on the patient’s exposure history.
Post-exposure rabies vaccine and, in some instances, HRIG are recommended for anyone who has potentially been exposed to rabies virus or other lyssaviruses.
PHU can order post-exposure treatment, which will be provided to the patient at no cost as a NSW-funded additional free vaccine.
For more information about lyssavirus refer to the Rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus infection fact sheet.
Health Referral Forms
Immunisation Weekly Update: Adolescent vaccination hits five-year low SESLHD/SLHD Annual Immunisation Update on December 3 Education Adolescent vaccination hits five-year low Vaccination coverage among Australian adolescents has fallen to its lowest point in five years, continuing a downward trend that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (at…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Register for access to Overdue Childhood Immunisation Dashboard SESLHD/SLHD Annual Immunisation Update on December 3 Minor changes to a range of Handbook chapters Education Register for access to Overdue Childhood Immunisation Dashboard CESPHN is inviting you to participate in our Overdue Childhood Immunisation QI Activity. Register your…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Support Whooping Cough Day on November 8 at your practice NCIRS revamps measles vaccination clinical support resource Immunisation Handbook updates Education Support Whooping Cough Day on November 8 at your practice Saturday November 8 is Whooping Cough Day, which shines a spotlight on the threat posed by…
