The Evans Head News - Informing Our Local (NOT)

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The Evans Head News - Informing Our Local (NOT) Community
August 15 ·

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DEADLY BAT BITES BOY AT EVANS HEAD
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NSW HEALTH ISSUES WARNINGS AFTER BAT BITES BOY AT EVANS HEAD SKATE PARK

- By Halden Boyd

The North Coast Area Health Service has issued a warning to the local community after a Grey Headed Flying Fox infected with the potentially deadly Lyssavirus bit a boy on the leg at the Evans Head Skate Park last week.

North Coast Public Health acting Director Greg Bell told The Evans Head News a special vaccine was quickly despatched and flown from a Sydney to initially to treat the boy soon after the incident happened and was reported to the New South Wales Health Department on Thursday.

Lyssavirus claimed its very first victim in Australia in 1994 after a north coast wildlife carer died after being bitten and scratched in Ballina after she untangled one or the airborne mammals from barb wire fencing after it was observed and reported in a confused state.

Just years later legendary Queensland horse trainer Vic Rail died from Lyssavirus at Hendra, a Brisbane suburb, close to the Eagle Farm Race Course.

And so the label Hendra Virus stuck, and still to this very day the killer disease has remained a mystery to Australian health experts and authorities as they look for answers to the spread of the deadly virus linked to horses.

"All of the correct protocols in place were followed by the local Evans Head Medical Centre folk which is commendable", Mr Bell told The Evans Head News.

"These protocols include alerting the Health Department so that we can go into action immediately", he said.

Mr Bell said there had been no recorded cases of anyone contracting Lyssavirus after starting the vaccine course within 48 hours of a bite or scratch drawing blood.

"Because of the quick action by The Evans Head Medical Centre Team we are confident of a a good outcome".

"Lyssavirus is very similar to Rabies and symptoms usually present 12 to 14 days after a bite from an infected animal including loss of feeling to a limb where a bite or scratch has occurred, following with advanced symptoms like falling in and out of consciousness".

Mr Bell said Public Health received two to three potential lyssavirus cases per month on The North Coast.

"What has been good in this incident is that the bat was captured and tested and sent immediately to the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong in Victoria which leads the country in Lyssavirus research in the country".

Mr Bell also said the Grey Headed Flying Fox from reports to the Health Department appeared confused, sick, and aggressive.

"If anyone is bitten or scratched they should assume that a bat is carrying Lyssavirus and seek medical attention immediately".

A spokesperson from a local wildlife carer organisation WIRES said it was not normal for a bat to be on the ground, and urged people coming across one to leave it alone and throw a towel or put a box over it if the animal was stressed or aggressive until help arrives.

"Obviously the native animal was sick, and our advice from the Health Department is to not go near it and to call a local wildlife rescue organisation. People naturally are concerned if they see an animal in distress, but the lesson here is to get in the experts", Mr Bell said.

"In this case the correct protocol was followed but I understand it is an anxious time for the family," he said.

Mr Bell gave the following advice for anyone bitten or scratched by any flying fox or bat.

* DO NOT PANIC
* Wash the bite for at least five minutes, and rub the bite site to reduce the chance of infection.
* Apply an antiseptic like Dettol or Betadine or an alcohol based product.
* Contact your local GP or Medical Centre and present yourself or the patient immediately.
* If out of hours contact your nearest local Hospital and present to the Emergency Department as soon as possble.

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FACTS ABOUT GREY HEADED FLYING FOXES AT EVANS HEAD:

* The littoral rainforest areas around the Evans Head Head Surf Club are home to one of three of the largest colonies of this bat species in New South Wales.
* Up to ONE IN FIVE bats of this species can carry the deadly Lyssavirus disease.
* The Grey Headed Flying Fox is listed as a vulnerable species in NSW.
* The Grey Headed Flying Fox is found in Australia between Bundaberg in Queensland south through to Melbourne in Victoria in sparse colonies.
* The Grey Headed Flying Fox normally feeds on native fruits and flowers, and because of natural habitat reduction also feeds in urban gardens.
* The Grey Headed Flying Fox breeds usually between August and September and gives birth to live offspring in November each year.
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PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THIS FACT SHEET ABOUT BATS AND LYSSAVIRUS FROM NSW HEALTH......

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/…/rabies-australian-bat-lyssav…

- The Evans Head News Team
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