NSW Health is reminding the community to avoid touching or handling bats, following a recent increase in people being bitten or scratched across the state.
In the two weeks from 28 September to 10 October, 43 people were assessed by NSW Health after being bitten or scratched by bats. This includes in coastal areas in Hunter New England, the Mid North Coast, Northern NSW, and the Central Coast.
This is a significant increase when compared with 10 reported cases of bat bites or scratches for the same two-week period in 2025.
Keira Glasgow, Director in Health Protection at NSW Health, said while bats are particularly active during spring and summer, the increase in exposures is an important reminder for people to avoid touching bats to protect themselves against infection from viruses.
“We want people to assume that any bat could carry Australian bat lyssavirus, which is a close relative to the rabies virus and very dangerous to humans,” Ms Glasgow said.
“If you see a bat that is injured or in distress, call your local wildlife rescue service and do not touch it. Only trained, protected and vaccinated wildlife handlers should interact with bats.
“It is incredibly rare for Australian bat lyssavirus to transmit to humans, but once symptoms of lyssavirus start in people who are scratched or bitten by an infected bat, sadly there is no effective treatment.
“If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, urgent medical assessment is crucial.”
People who have been bitten or scratched by a bat are advised to immediately wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes right away with soap and water and apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action, such as betadine, and allow it to dry.
It is important to then seek immediate advice from your doctor regarding post-exposure treatment.
Ingrid Emery, Executive Director Conservation Programs, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said the increased bat activity is being caused by food shortages.
“During food shortage events, flying-foxes typically stay in feed trees during the day instead of returning to their larger colonies,” Ms Emery said.
“Consequently, members of the community are seeing flying-foxes remaining in their backyard trees during the day.
“According to current reports received by NSW DCCEEW, this food shortage event is occurring along the eastern coast from the Clarence Valley in the north to the South Coast.
“This situation is expected to return to normal when natural food supplies become more widely available, which will depend on seasonal conditions.”
If you see a bat in distress, injured or trapped on the ground, do not try to rescue it. Instead, contact trained experts WIRES on 1300 094 737 or your local wildlife rescue group.
For more information about lyssavirus refer to the Rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus infection fact sheet.
For more information on protecting yourself around wildlife, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/be-careful-around-wildlife.aspx