Bat bites and scratches
Bat bites and scratches
Lyssaviruses are a group of viruses that includes rabies and bat lyssavirus. Rabies is an infection of mammals that bite and scratch. While it occurs in many parts of the world, it does not occur in Australia.
Infection with rabies can sicken and kill the affected mammal, and when people are infected they usually die.
Bat lyssavirus is a virus that is related to, but is different from rabies. In Australia, the virus is carried by bats. It rarely infects humans. Only two cases of human infection with bat lyssavirus have been recorded in Australia, both in Queensland in the mid-1990s. Both died.
Notification
Lyssavirus is a notifiable disease in NSW and must be reported by phone or mail as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Hospitals and laboratories must notify the local Public Health Unit (PHU).
Select your local PHU to obtain the correct notification form and notify your local PHU.