Health · Public Health & Disease · 1 hr ago
NSW warns against handling bats after 43 people are bitten or scratched
NSW Health has warned people not to handle bats after 43 people across the state were assessed for bites or scratches in two weeks.
The incidents were reported in the Hunter New England, Mid North Coast, Northern NSW and Central Coast regions.
The number was more than four times higher than during the same period last year.
The concern is Australian bat lyssavirus, a virus related to rabies that can spread through bites, scratches or infected bat saliva.
It is rare in people, but once symptoms appear it is almost always fatal; all three recorded human cases in Australia resulted in death.
Food shortages may be bringing flying foxes closer to people, as they stay in suburban trees during the day instead of returning to their colonies.
Anyone bitten or scratched should wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes, apply an antiseptic and seek urgent medical advice.
People who see an injured or distressed bat should contact a wildlife rescue service and leave it to trained handlers.
NSW Health warned people not to handle bats after 43 people were assessed following bat bites or scratches between September 28 and October 10.
The incidents were reported across the Hunter New England, Mid North Coast, Northern NSW and Central Coast regions.
The number of people assessed was more than four times the figure for the same period last year.
Australian bat lyssavirus can spread to people through bites, scratches or contact with an infected bat’s saliva, and is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
NSW Health advised anyone bitten or scratched to wash the wound for 15 minutes and seek urgent medical advice.
- Who
- NSW Health issued the warning. Forty-three people were assessed after encounters with bats.
- What
- Authorities warned people not to handle bats after bites and scratches raised concerns about Australian bat lyssavirus.
- When
- Between September 28 and October 10, 43 people were assessed. The warning was reported on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The incidents were reported in the Hunter New England, Mid North Coast, Northern NSW and Central Coast regions of NSW.
- Why
- Bat bites and scratches can expose people to Australian bat lyssavirus, which is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Forty-three people were assessed after encounters with bats across several NSW regions.
NSW Health’s warning against handling bats was reported.
- People assessed
- 43
- Assessment period
- September 28–October 10
- Regions
- Hunter New England, Mid North Coast, Northern NSW and Central Coast
- Virus
- Australian bat lyssavirus
- Human cases in Australia
- Three recorded since 1996; all in Queensland and all fatal
What people are saying
If you see a bat that is injured or in distress, call your local wildlife rescue service and do not touch it.
If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, urgent medical assessment is crucial.
During food shortage events, flying-foxes typically stay in feed trees during the day instead of returning to their larger colonies.
Sources
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