Topic: Bats and human health
Description
What is the risk to humans from bat diseases?
Bats and flying foxes may carry bacteria and viruses which can be harmful to humans.
Although the risk of infection is low, people should avoid handling these animals.
If you find an injured bat or flying fox, contact the Department of Environment and Resource Management (1300 130 372), RSPCA (1300 ANIMAL) or your local wildlife care group/rescuer/carer for assistance. Do not attempt to assist the animal yourself.
What diseases do bats carry?
Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) is a virus that can be transmitted via the saliva of infected bats when they bite or scratch humans. Infection with ABL causes a rabies-like disease in humans that is almost always fatal. However, there have been only two documented cases of ABL infection in humans. Both of these were in Queensland and the last case was identified in 1998.
There are two simple steps to avoid ABL disease:
- don't handle bats unless you are trained in handling them and vaccinated against rabies
- if you are bitten or scratched by a bat, wash the wound thoroughly and seek immediate medical advice about injections to protect you against infection.
Hendra virus can be transmitted to humans via close contact with the body fluids of infected horses. The natural host for Hendra virus is the flying fox. Horses may be infected by eating food recently contaminated by flying fox urine, saliva or birth products. There is no evidence that the virus can be spread through the faeces of flying foxes.
There is also no evidence that the virus can be passed directly from flying foxes to humans. Testing of bat carers who have frequent contact with flying foxes has shown no evidence of exposure to the virus.
A single dog showed evidence of exposure to Hendra virus following contact with an infected horse in July 2011. However, there is no evidence that the virus can be passed from dogs to humans.
There have been only a small number of human cases of Hendra virus infection since 1994. See the Hendra virus fact sheet for further information.
The risk of Hendra virus infection in horses can be reduced by protecting horse food from contamination by flying foxes, early isolation of sick horses and attention to standard hygiene and cleaning practices.
Histoplasmosis is a very rare lung infection. Bats, dogs, cats, cattle, horses, rats and other animals can be infected and can excrete the organism in their droppings.
People who have contact with bats or bat caves, for work or recreation, should avoid exposure to dust in environments likely to be contaminated with bat droppings. It is advisable to spray potentially contaminated areas with water before cleaning. People working in these areas should also use protective equipment such as face masks, gloves and overalls.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted via the urine of infected animals. In very rare cases, leptospirosis can be fatal to humans. Although rodents and cattle are the main carriers of this disease, bats may also be infected.
Leptospirosis occurs most commonly in people who are exposed to the bacteria during their work, for example farmers, veterinarians and meat workers. The most effective way to prevent infection from bats is to prevent bat urine from coming into contact with broken skin or your eyes, nose or mouth.
Salmonella and other bacteria that cause gastroenteritis may be found in animal faeces. Most cases of salmonella infection in Queensland are caused by eating undercooked or raw food contaminated with salmonella bacteria. The infection may also be acquired from close physical contact with animals such as dogs, poultry and cattle. It is assumed that some flying foxes may also carry the bacteria.
Further Information
For further information about bats and human health, contact your local Queensland Health public health unit (or look in the White Pages under 'Queensland Health') or 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
Related content
Queensland Health fact sheets:
Last Updated: 31st August, 2011
Date Valid to: 29th July, 2012
