Bats can carry germs including Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) infection, which is a rabies-like disease that can be transmitted to humans who are bitten or scratched by an infected bat.

The risk of getting a disease from bats is extremely rare unless people try to handle a bat without appropriate training and vaccination.

While the bats are commonly spotted in the Adelaide parklands, they can travel long distances and are also found in other parts of Adelaide and the state.

During the warmer months of the year, it’s more common to see young bats on the ground due to misadventure and also because they are more sensitive to extreme heat and can fall from trees.

Like most wild animals, healthy bats are naturally shy and will not approach humans or allow themselves to be handled, so it’s easy to avoid contact.

However, if you are bitten or scratched by a bat, or come into contact with bat saliva, you should take immediate action by:

  • Cleaning the area with soap and water for at least five minutes
  • Applying antiseptic such as povidone-iodine
  • Contacting a doctor or hospital emergency department
  • Commencing a course of post-exposure prophylaxis with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine if necessary.

If you do come across a bat that appears to be dead, injured or in distress, do not touch the bat, but contact the Fauna Rescue SA bat helpline on 08 8486 1139 or Bat Rescue SA on 0475 132 093.

For more information about bat safety, visit SA Health’s website www.sahealth.sa.gov.au

Quotes attributable to the Department for Health and Wellbeing’s Director of Health Protection, Michaela Hobby

Bats should only be handled with caution by appropriately trained and vaccinated animal handlers.

Last year there were 11 reported bat exposures in SA that required precautionary treatment; there have been six reported so far this year There was one detection of ABLV in a bat in last year and one year to date this year.  

The development of ABLV from bat bites or scratches can be prevented through prompt wound management and post exposure prophylaxis. Fewer than one per cent of Australian bats carry ABLV, however if treatment of bat bites, scratches and saliva exposure is delayed until after the onset of symptoms, the condition is almost invariably fatal. 

Quotes attributable to the Department for Environment and Water’s Principal Ecologist, Wildlife Management, Karl Hillyard 

Bats play an integral role in the ecology of the natural environment and are protected in Australia under State and Commonwealth law. 

If you see a large or small bat on the ground – living or dead – do not touch it under any circumstance. Instead, contact Fauna Rescue SA or Bat Rescue SA.