Bats out of Hell !

The common fruit Bat is a usual sight in eastern Australia.  On summer nights great swarms of the creatures cross city skies on their way to gorge on fruit and by day they can be found hanging on trees or in caves where they have established colonies.

This seemingly innocuous animal has a fearful reputation.  Since the dark ages it has been associated with witchcraft.  The Bat symbol is often used together with vampires and werewolves to depict a magic world of sorcery and spells.   The superstitious fear black cats and Bats as the associates of Zombies - or the convening of witches around a totem at which curses are directed at others.

It seems that this reputation is warranted because we now know that Bats carry a disease called Lyssavirus. A person bitten or scratched by a Bat can develop this life threatening disease after a long incubation period - and the afflicted usually die.

The third case of Lyssavirus in Australia is currently fighting for life in Queensland.   The virus takes the form of a brain infection and fits and this young victim is now too weak to be able to talk and give details of how the infection occurred.   It could be that the disease has mutated to a new form, and it could be a threat that is fast emerging given that Bats have taken to invading inner city parks.

Unfortunately, despite their reputation - Bats are cute.   They are a furry little flying animal and they navigate in the dark by using sound as a sort of radar.  An injured Bat would be attractive to children and it is important that parents warn them not to touch or try to move them if they are discovered injured.. The correct procedure would be to alert WIRES and allow them to be recovered by people trained to avoid injury and equipped with safety equipment to do that job.

It is also important to seek medical help immediately if a contact has been made with Bats.  Treatment for Lyssavirus is being developed and the sooner it is applied - the better.    Given the great number of Bats in Australian skies, we could be on the cusp of a new threat unless precautions are taken by the population !