Queenslanders have been warned to stay clear of disease-carrying bats as the risk of bites and scratches soars through the summer months.
It's currently breeding season for flying foxes across the state's far north.
This increases the chances of people having close encounters with the winged mammals and exposing themselves to a dangerous virus, Queensland Health says.
"Right now, there is a lot of bat activity in people's backyards, local parks, and rainforest areas," Cairns public health officer Annie Preston-Thomas said on Friday.
People are urged not to handle the animals, which are known to carry the life-threatening but rare Australian Bat Lyssavirus.
"It's is an infection similar to rabies, which can be transmitted through a bat bite or scratch, or possibly through exposure of the eyes, nose or mouth to bat saliva," Dr Preston-Thomas said.
Bats acting in a strange way should be avoided because they may be infected with the virus.
"Bats can bite through fabrics that people might use to pick them up," Dr Preston-Thomas said.
"Even bats that appear healthy may be infected, so it is important not to handle them."
Bat breeding season starts around September and usually lasts until January.
All bat scratches and bites require treatment and vaccination as soon as possible to guard against the development of the virus.
