Plagues,
Pestilences and Diseases
Hundreds of thousands of displaced bats invade northern
Australian town prompting disease warning
Hundreds of thousands of bats like these arrived in the town in
late February
A town in northern Australia has been invaded by more than 250,000
bats, prompting warnings of a potentially fatal disease related to
rabies.
The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) warned residents in Katherine
to stay away from the bats, which could carry the Australian Bat
Lyssavirus.
The disease can be transmitted to people if they are bitten or
scratched.
Authorities have closed down the main sports ground in the town
300 km south of Darwin in the Northern Territory.
The colony of bats - little red flying foxes - arrived in the
town late last month. In recent days large numbers continue to
roost on the outskirts of town, reports the BBC's Phil Mercer.
The bats could be attracted to the area by native flora, or driven
to the area because of habitat destruction or changing climatic
conditions, John Burke, a senior wildlife ranger, told the BBC.
''Obviously in the town area there's a lot of exotic plant species
that are fruiting and flowering throughout the year,'' he said.
''So it's more like a drive-through, I suppose, a drive-through
take-away.''
CDC Director Vicki Krause told Australian media that the virus was
carried in bat saliva.
Some victims have died but that is rare, our correspondent adds,
and a vaccination is available.
If bitten, people should wash the wound thoroughly and seek
medical attention as soon as possible, Dr Krause said.
Vaccinations were effective if given immediately, she added.
Experts say the presence of so many flying foxes in the Northern
Territory town only takes place two or three times each decade.