New South Wales (NSW) Health has urged anyone bitten or scratched by a bat to seek "urgent medical assessment" after 43 people were assessed over a two-week period.
Between September 28 and October 10, 43 people were assessed by NSW Health in Australia after being scratched or bitten by bats.
Most incidents in coastal areas
Most incidents occurred in coastal parts of the Hunter, Mid-North Coast, Northern NSW and The Central Coast.
Director of Health Protection at NSW Health Keira Glasgow said people should assume that any bat could carry Australian bat lyssavirus.
Virus close to rabies
The virus is a close relative of the rabies virus and is "very dangerous to humans", Ms Glasgow said.
"If you see a bat that is injured or in distress, call your local wildlife rescue service and do not touch it," she said.
"Only trained, protected and vaccinated wildlife handlers should interact with the bats."
She said it is very rare for Australian bat lyssavirus to transmit to humans, however, once symptoms start in people who are scratched or bitten by an infected bat, there is no effective treatment.
