ACT residents have been told to stay away from bats in backyards and parks, after the fourth case of Australian bat lyssavirus was diagnosed in NSW this year.
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The deadly disease was found in a flying fox in Griffith after it had attacked someone.
The Australian bat lyssavirus was identified in 1996 and since then has caused three deaths in Queensland.
Southern NSW Local Health District public health unit director Tracey Oakman said they were concerned migrating bats could bring the virus to the territory. ''Certainly we don't know which bats have the lyssavirus though it's a small percentage … so the message is to stay away from them,'' she said.
Ms Oakman said if ACT residents saw a bat struggling in their gardens or in nearby parks, they should not go anywhere near it but leave it alone.
She said anyone bitten by a bat should wash the bite and then seek medical attention.
''Wash the site for five minutes in soapy water and then put an antiseptic on the wound. Then seek urgent medical attention,'' Ms Oakman said.
A series of injections could then stop the person contracting the lyssavirus, which is very similar to rabies. The ACT was visited by a record number of bats during summer.
According to Wildlife ACT, more than 6000 bats made their home in Canberra's Commonwealth Gardens during the early part of this year.
''If a person finds a bat which appears to be trapped in something or distressed, don't pick it up, call WIRES on 1300 094 737,'' Ms Oakman said.
