City warning on bat ‘virus’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG residents must stay away from flying foxes after one of the animals was discovered carrying a deadly virus in Melbourne, authorities have warned.
Victoria’s acting Chief Health Officer, Dr Rosemary Lester warned against handling flying foxes, which sometimes roost in backyard fruit trees.
Geelong has a population of around 8000 flying foxes in Eastern Gardens.
“Under no circumstances should people handle flying foxes on their property, as some diseases they carry, such as Australian bat lyssavirus, are transmissible to humans,” Dr Lester said.
“Since 1996 a total of nine Victorian flying foxes have been found carrying the virus. The most recent detection was earlier this month in a flying fox found at East Kew.
“Australian bat lyssavirus is a rare but fatal disease that may be transmitted from flying foxes to humans.
“Domestic pets may also be at risk. The virus is transmitted through being scratched or bitten by a flying fox.
“Although it is known that many flying foxes across Australia carry the virus, instances of transmission to humans are very rare.
“Australian bat lyssavirus is detected from time to time in flying foxes in Victoria, but no human cases have ever occurred here. The disease has never occurred in domestic pets in Victoria.”