Man dies after becoming NSW's first confirmed Australian bat lyssavirus case
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9 News
28 minutes ago
- 9 News
What we know about the rare bat virus that has claimed a fourth life
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Australia has recorded its fourth death of the bat lyssavirus — a very rare and fatal virus that can lay dormant for years. It is the fourth case in Australia and the first in New South Wales. Here's everything we know about the virus. A man from northern New South Wales had died several months after being hospitalised with a bite. (Getty) Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a very rare virus that circulates in bats and is closely related to rabies. It can spread to humans if they are bitten or scratched, or if bat saliva comes in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or any broken skin. "To infect a human, the virus needs to pass from the bat's saliva into a wound in the skin," University of Sydney's wildlife disease ecologist Dr Alison Peel said. There is no risk if you live or walk near a bat roosting area. ABLV was first identified in 1996 and there has only been four cases since; three in Queensland and one in New South Wales. It has not been found in bats outside of Australia but overseas bats can carry other forms of lyssaviruses, including rabies. Any bat in Australia, including flying foxes, fruit bats and insect-eating microbats, can potentially carry ABLV. But, according to Peel, the number of bats infected by the virus is typically very low. "Studies have looked for the virus in thousands of healthy bats and failed to find it," she said. Any bat in Australia can potentially carry ABLV. (Getty) It is hard to tell whether a bat is carrying the virus, as they do not appear or behave any differently than an uninfected bat. "Like humans and other animals, infected bats may become sick and die, however, some bats may appear unaffected," Peel said. "So, you can't always tell just by looking at a bat whether it's infected or not." Symptoms are similar to those caused by rabies and can start off like the flu. This may include a headache, fever and fatigue. The illness can rapidly progress to paralysis, delirium, seizures and death typically within one to two weeks. It is also hard to tell when you contracted the virus as symptoms can start anytime from a few days to several years after infection. Only trained, protected and vaccinated wildlife handlers should be interacting with bats. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) ABLV can be fatal if it is not treated immediately. Health Direct advises anyone who is scratched or bitten by a bat to wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, apply an antiseptic with an anti-virus action and get medical help as soon as possible. ABLV does not have its own vaccine but can be treated with a combination of rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccinations. There is no treatment for the virus once symptoms have started. "It is incredibly rare for the virus to transmit to humans, but once symptoms of lyssavirus start in people who are scratched or bitten by an infected bat, sadly there is no effective treatment," NSW Health Director in Health Protection Keira Glasgow said. The simple answer is to avoid touching any bats. Only trained, protected and vaccinated wildlife handlers should be interacting with bats. health New South Wales queensland national Australia wildlife Disease CONTACT US Property News: Sixteen-person rental sparks outrage in US.
Sydney Morning Herald
39 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘One of the greatest': Cummins screamer helps Australia take first innings lead over West Indies
St George's: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins in the Caribbean. Cummins produced one of the all-time caught and bowled dismissals before taking a crucial partnership-breaking wicket to help Australia roll the West Indies for 253 and bank a 33-run first innings lead in Grenada. It was a sleepy start to day two of the second Test, with fewer Australian fans in attendance after a rain-affected opening day which saw the tourists bowled out for 286. Josh Hazlewood got the ball rolling for Australia on Friday, removing Kraigg Brathwaite for an eight-ball duck in the opener's 100th Test courtesy of a sharp return catch to the fast bowler's left side. About six overs later, Cummins trumped Hazlewood's effort with a stunning caught and bowled that will be played for years to come. Bowlers rarely take bat-pad catches because they never stand at short-leg. As a fast-bowling captain, Cummins would be the last person to field in that position, but somehow managed to take a remarkable bat-pad catch off his own bowling thanks to some brilliant athleticism and speed. West Indies No.3 Keacy Carty pushed forward and got a thick outside edge that ballooned in the air on the leg side.
The Age
44 minutes ago
- The Age
‘One of the greatest': Cummins screamer helps Australia take first innings lead over West Indies
St George's: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins in the Caribbean. Cummins produced one of the all-time caught and bowled dismissals before taking a crucial partnership-breaking wicket to help Australia roll the West Indies for 253 and bank a 33-run first innings lead in Grenada. It was a sleepy start to day two of the second Test, with fewer Australian fans in attendance after a rain-affected opening day which saw the tourists bowled out for 286. Josh Hazlewood got the ball rolling for Australia on Friday, removing Kraigg Brathwaite for an eight-ball duck in the opener's 100th Test courtesy of a sharp return catch to the fast bowler's left side. About six overs later, Cummins trumped Hazlewood's effort with a stunning caught and bowled that will be played for years to come. Bowlers rarely take bat-pad catches because they never stand at short-leg. As a fast-bowling captain, Cummins would be the last person to field in that position, but somehow managed to take a remarkable bat-pad catch off his own bowling thanks to some brilliant athleticism and speed. West Indies No.3 Keacy Carty pushed forward and got a thick outside edge that ballooned in the air on the leg side.
