If your patient presents with a possible exposure to rabies (during overseas travel) or Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), the Gold Coast Public Health Unit (GCPHU) requests that you notify the team via our GP Only Enquiry Line 5687 0003.

A potential exposure is defined as:

• any bite or scratch from, or mucous membrane or broken skin contact with the saliva or neural tissues of a bat in Australia or elsewhere in the world, or a wild or domestic terrestrial mammal in a rabies-enzootic country.

While ABLV and rabies can be fatal, immediate medical attention and receiving a course of post-exposure rabies immunisations can prevent the onset of clinical signs.

• There is no specific treatment once clinical signs begin.

When following up a potential rabies exposure notification, GCPHU will ensure that the correct post exposure prophylaxis has been/will be provided to the patient.

• This may include rabies vaccine and/or human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG).

For further information see Department of Health | Rabies Virus and Other Lyssavirus (Including Australian Bat Lyssavirus) Exposures and Infections