C3.cases

C3 cases are when a HUMAN has been bitten or scratched by a bat. These incidences are handled by QLD Health and legally need to be notified to QLD Health immediately – 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)!

In case of a C3 incident, get in touch with your local QLD Health department immediately, they will talk you through the next steps. In recent time, they usually opt for rabies-vaccination of the affected person and may not request the animal to be tested; but the final decison on this is made on a per-case basis by the QLD Health department in charge for the area where the incident occured.

Further Reading

    C2.cases

    C2 cases are when an ANIMAL (dog, cat etc.) has been bitten or scratched by a bat. These incidences are handled by QLD Biosecurity. While they legally do not need to be reported, concerned pet owners or members of the public can submit specimen to QLD Biosecurity for testing. The testing service is free of charge, but the cost for transport to the lab has to be covered by the requester.

    In case of a C2 incident, store the body of the deceased bat in the fridge (avoid storage in the freezer) and submit to the Biosecurity laboratory for testing as soon as possible (best on the same or next day). QLD Biosecurity has a lab in Coopers Plains (south end of Brisbane, details below), where specimen can be dropped off (by anybody) at a reception window. Alternatively, transport can be arranged through a courier service – arranging courier transport and covering the cost for transport is up to the requester.

    If the bat is still alive and doesn’t require euthanasia due to its injuries, it will be kept by a qualified wildlife carer for a period of at least 10 days to observe the onset of any neurological symptoms, which may indicate an active ABLV infection. If the bat does not show any neurological signs during this time period, an active infection with ABLV can be excluded. If the bat shows neurological symptoms or dies during this period, testing can still be arranged at this point in time.

    QLD Biosecurity – Forensic Services

    • Loading Dock 12 – Specimen Receipt
    • Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory – Health and Food Precinct
    • 39 Kessels Road
    • Coopers Plains QLD 4108
    • opening hours Mon-Fri 8 am to 5 pm
    • Forensic Services Phone: 07 3276 6114
    • Biosecurity Hotline: 132 523

    Cold Transport Courier Service (example)

    • ‘Quick As A Flash’ Couriers Molendinar – Phone 07 5564 6665
    • ask for same day delivery of a biological specimen, cost approx AUD$40-50
    • double bag the specimen and send in a syrofoam esky with cooling bricks