Queensland child hospitalized with Australian Bat Lyssavirus

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-2-15 14:19:55

A young child is hospitalized in Brisbane, Queensland, with confirmed Australian Bat Lyssavirus infection (ABLV), the state's Chief Health Officer Dr. Jeannette Young confirmed on Friday.

Young said the eight-year-old boy was bitten or scratched by a bat about two months before becoming ill.

It is only the third confirmed case of ABLV in Australia, with the previous two being fatal.

All cases have been in Queensland, one in 1996 and one in 1998.

"Lyssavirus is closely related but not identical to the rabies virus," Young said.

"It is assumed any bat in Australia could potentially carry the disease."

Queensland Health says ABLV is a virus that can be transmitted from bats to humans, causing serious illness, which results in paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death.

The Queensland health authority advises that any person who has been scratched or bitten by a bat, should seek immediate medical attention.

Young said the best protection against being exposed to the virus was to avoid handling any bat or flying fox.

"It is important to also encourage young children to never handle bats, particularly if they should come across a sick or injured one," she said.

Posted in: Asia-Pacific

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