Latest news with #ABLV
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Dad dies after being bitten by bat as he tried to free it from his home
A family was left devastated after a dad-of-two contracted a deadly disease similar to rabies when he was bitten by a rabid bat as he tried to remove it from his home A dad of two tragically died after being bitten by a bat in a case reported to be a regional first. Craig 'Zeb' Nolte, 56, died this month after he was bitten by a bat when he tried to set the creature free after it became stuck in the verandah of his home. The bite in October last year saw Mr Nolte, a carpenter, contract the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV). This is believed to be the first case in New South Wales, Australia, and the fourth in the country overall. NSW Health confirmed comments from Mr Nolte's wife Robyn that her husband had received a prophylaxis immunoglobulin injection after the bite occurred. Robyn had said in a social media post that NSW health was 'still grappling in their words [about] how this happened that the injection didn't work'. NSW Health, which offered its 'sincere condolences', said Mr Nolte received initial treatment but that he developed symptoms of the virus, which is incurable, and fell into a critical condition, the Daily Mail reported. The health body also said that an investigation is underway into the the circumstances of Mr Nolte's illness. 'Post-exposure prophylaxis for lyssavirus exposure includes both immunoglobulin and at least four vaccines given over several weeks,' NSW Health said. 'The treatment is very safe and has been proven worldwide to be highly effective.' Friends paid tribute to Mr Nolte on social media and shared their shock at his death this month. One friend confirmed on July 1 that Mr Nolte was on life support with only a 'few days left'. One person responded that they 'had a surf' with him a 'couple of months ago' and he was 'full of life and keen to get into the water more'. Another said they were in 'disbelief' at the news. NSW Health said ABLV is similar to rabies. 'Rabies virus and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) belong to a group of viruses called lyssaviruses,' the body explained. 'These viruses transmit via a bite from an infected ("rabid") animal. They all cause a similar illness known as rabies, which affects the central nervous system and is usually fatal.' Early symptoms include fatigue, a headache and fever. This can progress into delirium, convulsions, paralysis and eventually death. The other three cases of the disease recorded in Australia, including that of an eight-year-old boy in Queensland in 2013, all resulted in deaths. NSW Health warned people who travel to the country that 'people who come into contact with wild or domestic mammals, including bats, in a rabies endemic country are at increased risk of rabies infection'. If bitten - the advice remains the same for those who have been vaccinated or not - then the advice is to immediately wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Antiseptic with an anti-virus action should also be applied and medical attention sought.
Perth Now
05-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
‘100%': Shock truth about rare bat disease
A northern NSW man has died after being bitten by a bat, in the first confirmed case of Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) in NSW. The man, in his 50s, was bitten by a bat several months ago and had been in a critical condition in hospital, but on Thursday NSW Health confirmed he had died. 'We express our sincere condolences to the man's family and friends for their tragic loss,' NSW Health said in a statement. The case marks the fourth ever documented of ABLV, all have been fatal. What is Lyssavirus? 'ABLV is a virus that circulates naturally in Australian bats that is very closely related to rabies,' said veterinarian and wildlife disease expert Dr Alison Peel. 'To infect a human, the virus needs to pass from the bat's saliva into a wound in the skin. For example, that can happen if an infected bat scratches or bites you, or if their saliva comes into contact with an existing break in your skin. 'You cannot contract the virus just by being near flying foxes.' Once infected the victim will experience a latency period where they are asymptomatic and appear healthy, this period may stretch from weeks to possibly years until symptoms begin to appear. ABLV is present in flying fox populations as well as in microbat populations. Photo Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia 'Once symptomatic, ABLV infection has a 100 per cent fatality rate with no effective treatment available,' said molecular virologist professor Vinod Balasubramaniam. '(ABLV) infects peripheral nerves and progresses rapidly to the central nervous system, causing fatal acute encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord).' ABLV was first identified by the CSIRO in 1996, after a black flying fox exhibiting neurological symptoms was discovered near Ballina in northern New South Wales. Later that same year, a woman in Queensland who had recently begun working as a bat handler developed numbness and weakness in her arm, before falling into a coma and passing away. Two more fatalities occurred in 1998 and 2013, when a woman and an eight-year-old child died after being bitten or scratched by bats. Although the virus is found in Australian bats it exists in an extremely low percentage of the population. A transmission electron micrograph showing colorised bullet shaped Australian Bat lyssavirus particles. Supplied Credit: Supplied Exact numbers are difficult to determine due to its scarcity however Trish Paterson, who ran the Australian Bat Clinic and Wildlife Trauma Centre in Queensland, told the ABC less than 0.1 per cent of the Australian bat population was infected with the virus. 'The virus is present in the saliva of some Australian bats, but at very low prevalence,' said Dr Peel. 'The proportion of bats infected by the virus is normally very low – studies have looked for the virus in thousands of healthy bats and failed to find it. 'Like humans and other animals, infected bats may become sick and die, however, some bats may appear unaffected. So, you can't always tell just by looking at a bat whether it's infected or not.' What can you do to protect yourself? Experts stressed the best defence against ABLV was avoiding bats and particularly avoiding provoking them. 'This recent NSW case, the first in the state, highlights significant lessons for public health: individuals must avoid direct contact with bats,' said professor Balasubramaniam. 'Unvaccinated people should avoid handling bats in the wild, and if they encounter an injured bat they should contact their local wildlife rescue group, rather than trying to handle the animal themselves,' said director of equine infectious diseases at Melbourne University professor James Gilkerson. Experts are warning the public not to interact with bats. Dean Martin Credit: News Corp Australia 'Veterinarians and wildlife carers are two groups at higher risk, and it is recommended that those people are vaccinated against rabies to protect them against ABLV infection.' Professor Balasubramaniam advised those bitten or scratched to 'seek immediate medical intervention, including thorough wound cleaning and prompt administration of rabies immunoglobulin and vaccines following any potential exposure'. 'Public health authorities must adopt a robust approach such as intensifying targeted education for high-risk groups like veterinarians and wildlife handlers, enhancing surveillance of bat populations, and investing in research for advanced vaccines and antiviral therapies. 'The (recent) incident highlights the critical need to respect ecological boundaries, promote community awareness, and ensure swift, evidence-based medical and public health responses.' Professor Balasubramaniam also noted that all four Australian cases have been fatal despite receiving standard rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
News.com.au
05-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Everything we know about Lyssavirus after man dies in state first
A northern NSW man has died after being bitten by a bat, in the first confirmed case of Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) in NSW. The man, in his 50s, was bitten by a bat several months ago and had been in a critical condition in hospital, but on Thursday NSW Health confirmed he had died. 'We express our sincere condolences to the man's family and friends for their tragic loss,' NSW Health said in a statement. The case marks the fourth ever documented of ABLV, all have been fatal. What is Lyssavirus? 'ABLV is a virus that circulates naturally in Australian bats that is very closely related to rabies,' said veterinarian and wildlife disease expert Dr Alison Peel. 'To infect a human, the virus needs to pass from the bat's saliva into a wound in the skin. For example, that can happen if an infected bat scratches or bites you, or if their saliva comes into contact with an existing break in your skin. 'You cannot contract the virus just by being near flying foxes.' Once infected the victim will experience a latency period where they are asymptomatic and appear healthy, this period may stretch from weeks to possibly years until symptoms begin to appear. 'Once symptomatic, ABLV infection has a 100 per cent fatality rate with no effective treatment available,' said molecular virologist professor Vinod Balasubramaniam. '(ABLV) infects peripheral nerves and progresses rapidly to the central nervous system, causing fatal acute encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord).' ABLV was first identified by the CSIRO in 1996, after a black flying fox exhibiting neurological symptoms was discovered near Ballina in northern New South Wales. Later that same year, a woman in Queensland who had recently begun working as a bat handler developed numbness and weakness in her arm, before falling into a coma and passing away. Two more fatalities occurred in 1998 and 2013, when a woman and an eight-year-old child died after being bitten or scratched by bats. Although the virus is found in Australian bats it exists in an extremely low percentage of the population. Exact numbers are difficult to determine due to its scarcity however Trish Paterson, who ran the Australian Bat Clinic and Wildlife Trauma Centre in Queensland, told the ABC less than 0.1 per cent of the Australian bat population was infected with the virus. 'The virus is present in the saliva of some Australian bats, but at very low prevalence,' said Dr Peel. 'The proportion of bats infected by the virus is normally very low – studies have looked for the virus in thousands of healthy bats and failed to find it. 'Like humans and other animals, infected bats may become sick and die, however, some bats may appear unaffected. So, you can't always tell just by looking at a bat whether it's infected or not.' What can you do to protect yourself? Experts stressed the best defence against ABLV was avoiding bats and particularly avoiding provoking them. 'This recent NSW case, the first in the state, highlights significant lessons for public health: individuals must avoid direct contact with bats,' said professor Balasubramaniam. 'Unvaccinated people should avoid handling bats in the wild, and if they encounter an injured bat they should contact their local wildlife rescue group, rather than trying to handle the animal themselves,' said director of equine infectious diseases at Melbourne University professor James Gilkerson. 'Veterinarians and wildlife carers are two groups at higher risk, and it is recommended that those people are vaccinated against rabies to protect them against ABLV infection.' Professor Balasubramaniam advised those bitten or scratched to 'seek immediate medical intervention, including thorough wound cleaning and prompt administration of rabies immunoglobulin and vaccines following any potential exposure'. 'Public health authorities must adopt a robust approach such as intensifying targeted education for high-risk groups like veterinarians and wildlife handlers, enhancing surveillance of bat populations, and investing in research for advanced vaccines and antiviral therapies. 'The (recent) incident highlights the critical need to respect ecological boundaries, promote community awareness, and ensure swift, evidence-based medical and public health responses.'
9 News
04-07-2025
- Health
- 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.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
How Aussie man died from a rare virus MONTHS after he was bitten by a bat
New details have emerged about the tragic death of a New South Wales man who contracted the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV). The northern NSW man, aged in his 50s, was bitten while trying to free a trapped bat in October 2024. He received initial treatment but developed symptoms months later and became critically ill, according to the Daily Telegraph. He died in hospital this week, becoming the first confirmed case of the virus in NSW, and the fourth in Australia. The other three cases also died, including an eight-year-old Queensland boy in 2013. Further investigation is underway to establish whether other exposures or factors contributed to the man's death. 'We express our sincere condolences to the man's family and friends for their tragic loss,' a NSW Health spokesperson said. The tragedy has prompted renewed warnings to avoid touching or handling bats. The deadly virus has no known cure. ABLV is closely related to the rabies virus and is typically transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. 'When a bat is injured or in distress, do not try to rescue it. Contact experts at your local wildlife rescue group, which has trained staff who can deal with bats safely,' NSW Health said. There is no effective treatment for ABLV or rabies once symptoms begin, making prevention through avoidance and post-exposure vaccination critically important. Large colonies of native bats are known to inhabit several areas across Sydney, including Centennial Park, Burnt Bridge Creek in Balgowlah, and Parramatta Park. Veterinarian Dr Alison Peel from the University of Sydney told The Daily Telegraph that the virus remains 'exceptionally rare,' found in 'less than 0.5 per cent of the total bat population.' Dr Peel explained that transmission to humans only occurs when 'a bat bites or scratches someone and transfers saliva into a wound.' Despite the low infection rate, she stressed the need for caution, telling people to assume that all bats carry the virus and to not touch them. The sentiment was echoed by NSW Health director Keira Glasgow. '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,' she said on Wednesday. NSW Health advises that anyone bitten by a bat should immediately and thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. After cleaning, apply an antiseptic with antiviral properties, such as povidone-iodine (e.g., Betadine), iodine tincture, aqueous iodine solution, chlorhexidine, or alcohol containing at least 70 per cent ethanol. Finally, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible for proper wound care and to evaluate your risk of infection. NSW Health says anyone who sees a bat in distress, injured or trapped on the ground, do not try to rescue it should contact trained experts WIRES on 1300 094 737. .
