WA: Six-year-old girl escapes rabies-like disease after bat bite

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2001
WA: Six-year-old girl escapes rabies-like disease after bat bite

West Australian doctors have warned people against handling bats after a young girl
bitten by a bat infected with the potentially fatal Lyssavirus.

Kimberley Public Health Unit Doctor MANDY SEELS says tests show the six-year-old girl,
from Derby, was bitten by an infected fruit bat but didn't contract the disease because
she received immediate medical attention.

Dr SEELS says the girl is the first West Australian to be bitten by a bat infected
with the rabies-related disease.

Dr SEELS says the girl's escape has prompted doctors to warn the public not to handle
bats, particularly those sick or behaving abnormally.





(Eds - changes sex of child from boy to girl on advice from the Health Unit)



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KEYWORD: BAT (PERTH)

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