Authorities have issued a public health alert for the fatal Australian Bat Lyssavirus after a flying fox was found with the disease in Brisbane.
Anyone who came into contact with the animal, which was found at west Brisbane's Anstead Bushland Reserve, should seek urgent medical assistance, the Metro North Public Health Unit said on Friday.
The bat was found adjacent to the reserve's car park on December 30.
"The bat, which subsequently died, was sent for testing for ABLV and was found to be positive," the health unit said in a statement.
"We have been in contact with those people who reported the bat when it was found and those who cared for it, to check any contact they may have had with the bat and whether they were vaccinated. Once the bat was rescued, it was only handled by trained and vaccinated carers.
"It is very important to provide urgent treatment if anyone has had a scratch or bite from a bat to prevent a lethal disease."
The virus is part of a group which includes rabies. It is regarded as endemic among Australian bats.
