Urgent search for four kids who played with a bat that may have been carrying a deadly rabies-like disease

Health authorities are desperately trying to identify four children who played with a bat suspected of carrying a fatal rabies-like disease. 

The children, aged between 3 and 10, were playing with the bat at Nerima Gardens around 10am in Queens Park, Ipswich in Brisbane’s south-west last Saturday. 

The bat is suspected to have been infected with a deadly disease similar to rabies and known as lyssavirus which could have been spread to the children. 

Witnesses who saw the bat at the time reported that the animal appeared to be sick and showed signs of the virus.

Health officials have confirmed that several bats from the area have tested positive to Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV). 

West Moreton Health issued a statement on Friday appealing for information to identify the children.

‘It’s an unusual step for us to go to the community [for help], but other ways of identifying the children have been successful,’ West Moreton Health Public Health physician Dr Penny Hutchinson said.  

‘ABLV is a serious and potentially fatal virus. If you or your child had any contact with the bat, immediate action is necessary, even if you don’t have any symptoms.’

Authorities have said people should not be panicked by the latest alert and said they are trying to identify the children to prevent the virus from spreading to others. 

Lyssavirus is a very rare disease that is spread from bats to humans and is closely related to rabies. 

A lyssavirus infection can cause death if the symptoms of the disease which include headaches, fever, and fatigue are not treated. 

The virus can stop muscle movement causing paralysis and can also cause seizures.

Dr Hutchinson said heath authorities want to ensure the children are treated before the start developing symptoms. 

An infected person can begin to show symptoms in just a few days or it can take up to eights weeks for signs of the virus to appear. 

Dr Hutchinson urged people to stay away from bats and avoid coming into contact with the animals if they are sick, injured, or trapped. 

‘It’s important to remind the community that the only people who should handle bats and flying foxes are trained handlers who are vaccinated and have appropriate protective equipment,’ she said. 

‘Ninety-nine per cent of bat exposures occur through people handling bats.’  

Anyone who is bitten or scratched by a bat, or is exposed to bat saliva through the eyes, nose or mouth, has been urged not to scrub the wound.

The infected person should wash the wound gently and thoroughly for at least five minutes with soap and water. 

Antiseptics and anti-virus action such as povidone-iodine or alcohol (ethanol) should also be applied onto the wound if available. 

People should rinse their eyes, nose, and mouth with water if bat saliva enters these body parts. 

A doctor or the nearest hospital must be contacted immediately if a person has been bitten by a bat or is exposed to bat saliva. 

Anyone who sees a bat is urged to contact the RSPCA or a wildlife carer to collect the bat.