Managing Potential Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) Exposure in Regional Queensland: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Epidemiology and Operational Challenges

Background/Objectives: Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a rare but fatal zoonotic infection transmitted from infected bats. In Queensland, Australia, all potential human exposures should be reported to local public health units for assessment and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Following a marked increase in notifications in 2025, the Darling Downs Public Health Unit (DDPHU), serving the Darling Downs and South West regions of Queensland, evaluated the epidemiology and operational challenges using a retrospective mixed-methods design.