Australia reports surge in bat bites; lyssavirus risk prompts health alert

Australian health authorities have issued an alert after an unprecedented rise in bat bites over a 14-day period, raising concerns about Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), a rabies-like virus with no cure. The exact number of cases and affected regions are not specified, but the spike signals increased human-wildlife contact, possibly linked to environmental factors. This matters because ABLV is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, and the surge may indicate a broader ecological shift affecting bat behavior.