According to local Australian authorities, the excessive heat is stressing bats, also referred to as flying foxes, out. The stress has led to bats attacking humans by biting and scratching them.
The north of Sydney has seen seven such attacks in the last two weeks alone.
Officials have been able to diagnose two bats that lashed out with the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABVL), which is similar to rabies. In all confirmed ABVL human cases, the virus has been fatal.
The Australian heatwave began around Christmas with extremely high temperatures rising to 40 degrees Celsius and higher. The heat disorientates bats, leading them to fall from trees and become tangled in overhead power lines.
The recent attacks usually occurred as people attempted to rescue the animals, who then bit and scratched humans.
