Media Release

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth have united in an aggressive attack at the Qld Government, following confirmation that a seriously ill child has contracted the deadly Lyssavirus from a flying fox.

Mr Katter said the Qld Government had sat idly by and foolishly underestimated the seriousness of the flying fox crisis.

“In 2011 we had dogs test positive. In 2012 we had horses test positive. We have continually pushed the Government for bat culling and it still hasn’t happened. This is about as serious as it gets now.

“They already know that more than 120 people died of Nipah disease carried from flying foxes on the Malay Peninsula; that more than 700 people in China died from SARS; and that in Qld, seven people have contracted Hendra virus and four have died.

“All this is attributed directly and indirectly to bats – such as the deadly Lyssavirus (from which two reported human deaths have occurred in Australia) being carried by an estimated nine per cent of North Qld bats.

“In a recent examination of the bats, 30 per cent (of the bats) tested positive with Lyssavirus.

“It is a virus that has been seriously underestimated, overlooked and disregarded by the Government. It may not be highly contagious but it is contagious and that makes it a serious concern”.

Having followed the bat crisis closely since the beginning, Mr Knuth says the Queensland Government is now running now against the clock in taking action.

“This is a ticking time bomb and our sympathies go to the family, however government policy is forcing us to live with this very serious virus risk.

“It is time that the Government stops dodging, weaving and hiding from the issue and put the quality of life of people first before bats.

“I challenge the State Government to take action”.