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Bites, Stings & Animal Injuries

Bat bite or scratch

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In Australia, flying foxes or other bats can carry lyssavirus (also known as ABLV: Australian bat lyssavirus) which is potentially fatal.
These animals must never be handled by people who are not trained to handle wildlife, even if the animal is injured.

What to do

Anyone either bitten or scratched by a bat should IMMEDIATELY:

  1. wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
  2. seek medical aid, regardless of the site or severity of the wound.

A protective vaccine can be administered even after the bite.