Fears that a Flying Fox could attack a human were realised in Warwick earlier this month, after a young boy was bitten by a bat.
In a statement to the Free Times, Warwick Hospital Acting Director of Nursing Janet Reid confirmed the first case of a Warwick Flying Fox bite on Monday, February 25.
“Warwick Hospital can confirm that a young boy who presented to the Emergency Department has received treatment at both Warwick Hospital and Toowoomba Hospital after being bitten by a bat,” she said.
“All necessary treatment has been provided and follow-up has been arranged in consultation with the Darling Downs Public Health Unit (DDPHU).”
A DDPHU spokesperson said the primary-school-aged boy presented no symptoms of the deadly lyssavirus. The circumstances surrounding the bite were unknown.
The bite occurred just days before an eight-year-old Cairns boy, who was bitten by a Flying Fox four weeks ago, died on Friday, February 22, as a result of lyssavirus.
Lyssavirus is only known from three isolated cases to be directly transmissible from bats to humans.
The bat bite has prompted a health warning from DDPHU, who were stressing the need for care around Flying Fox colonies.
“Only people who have been trained in the care of bats, and who have been vaccinated against rabies, should ever handle bats or Flying Foxes,” Ms Reid said.
The bite comes as debate rages across Warwick over how to deal with an estimated 100,000 Little Red Flying Foxes, who recently took up residence to the rear of the Warwick State High School.
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